The Street

[lemondrop13]

Once you depart the courtyard of the Leaky Cauldron and step through the arch into Diagon Alley, the street stretches before you. It is a cacophany of noise and color, with vibrant robes and signs catching your eye, and voices and animal noises filling your ears. Even your nose catches a bit of the place, picking up unusual potions ingredients on top of the delicious scent of turning ice cream.

[Hermione_loves_Ron]

Outside, the weather was lovely - a warm September afternoon with the sun radiating it's golden rays down. Though the air wasn't hot, it felt nice, and it wasn't even muggy. With all of the students back in school, the streets were clear but for a few shoppers here and there, a hag walking hand in hand with a man, a goblin hobbling down the middle of the street. Carrying a dish of vanilla ice cream from the Leaky Cauldron, Mozzie made her way down the sidewalk, taking a break from her pub to enjoy the afternoon - it was too nice to stay in the courtyard.

A gentle breeze ruffled her skirt around her ankles and she found the sensation mildly ticklish. However, as she walked along, she found herself sitting down at a little table outside a cafe, feeling rather lightheaded. The trip down the street, she found, was sort of a trip down memory lane. So many times before, she'd walked this road with Boo and Tristan, Nolan, Quentin. Frankie was sometimes with them. It seemed like so long ago and... she found that it kind of was.

Oh, how she missed those days.

Oh, how she missed her friends. A letter would have to go out to Nolan. Maybe he could people together.

[SlytherinSistah]

It felt like he'd crawled out of an avalanche, really. The smells and stimulus of the September afternoon, not at a loss of appreciation to Otavio as he rambled along the streets.

It was that time of year again. The students had gone off to Hogwarts, and unfortunately, this meant he'd no longer be able to work with the Mrs. The thought made him a little forelorn and he let out a sigh.

Peering along the shoppes, which he felt like he hadn't seen in forever, he decided on one and aimed to visit, and perhaps, even buy Mrs. Beezwick a gift to show some appreciation for all the hard work she did helping him in the shoppe.

[Nabs]

The sun hadn't completely come out yet, but Getti Forde had been awake for the past two hours. She had been fidgety from the moment she'd been awoken by a nagging sense that she had something to do, and so as soon as she'd taken a shower and forced a piece of stale bread down her throat (noting to stop by the store later to get more groceries) she started planning her itinerary for the day.

Having delayed coming to work for as long as her workaholic nerves could take it, she'd finally apparated onto the cobblestoned street right in front of the Diagon Alley headquarters. The windows were dark and the door was still locked, but that didn't do anything to deter her resolve.

[Ama]

Crud. The sun was out, noticed Ian Hoshino as he balefully settled his brown eyes on the lightening sky. A clear-cut observation made by a man who for the most part of his life refused to come out from underneath the covers until he could detect the colorful aromas of Colombian coffee brewing. Tucking his tongue behind a cheek, Ian meticulously ran it over his molars.

There was no use. If he was late, he'd be chewed up by the bitter females in charge. It wasn't his fault. Life's cruel. You buy yourself a Mocha Latte, a new pair of Kaenon shades, demean a few underlings and--in short--dust off your pencil-skirt behind and get over it.

Resigned to a fate he initially walked into, Hoshino massaged the back of his neck as he stomped through the crow towards the not-so-elegant-less-than-quaint building of the Daily Prophet.

[noodles]

Nathan apparated onto the streets of Diagon Alley feeling very lost indeed. He never, in a million years, thought he would be so sad leaving his job at the Ministry of magic. He had worked in the MLES for many years and he was so very at home there - even though he had always struggled with the work itself he was going to miss the people terribly.

Still clutching his small box of belongings after clearing out his desk, he pondered going home to drop it off before heading to the Leaky Cauldron. He shrugged inwardly, there was little point really. He made his way, his footsteps a little heavier than usual and his shoulders slumped, towards the friendly, welcoming surroundings of the little cosy pub on Diagon Alley. A few firewhiskeys would be very welcome before he headed home later on.

[Ama]

Ah. Blistering sun. Ian Hoshino adjusted his vintage D&G glasses, the ones that had taken him four months to track down in a quaint little town Madrid. Sauntering down the street, Ian brought his clipboard to his face. First stop, Gringott's. Steeling himself as he walked closer, Ian could only hope the Goblins were inexplicably cheery today.

[SilverTiger]

Brenna strode down the street, her heels clacking against the stone of the sidewalk, as she made her way rather quickly to Gringotts. She just hoped she could slip in without anyone noticing, since she was a fraction late for work since she had overslept. As if a tall girl with the dark hair, blue eyes shaded by sunglasses, and wearing a fitted white suit jacket over a royal blue shift dress could sneak into Gringotts unnoticed. At least she'd thought ahead this time, and cast a small Enlargement Charm on her black leather purse so she was able to slip a change of clothes inside in case Gremlok wanted her to clean again.

[Ama]

He nearly bumped into someone on his way out, and Ian willed himself to step aside to allow her access. Hoshino, however, didn't speak to her, nor allowed his eyes to rest too long on her face. He had business to do. The clipboard biting into his torso reminded him so, as he avoided another collision in the street.

Good thing they weren't in the Before-School shopping rush. Finally reaching Quality Quidditch Supplies, Ian pushed the door open with one massive hand and walked in.

[SilverTiger]

Just outside the doors to Gringotts, Brenna was forced to step aside as a man exited in a rush, almost bumping into her. And, as he neatly stepped aside to let her enter, she nodded slightly and reached out to grab the door, gracefully working her way around the man who had already continued on, apparently to Quality Quidditch Supplies, as her gaze told her before she stepped inside the bank.

[Nabs]

The chilly air hit her face as Getti emerged from the warmth of the Leaky Cauldron. It certainly did help her get her breath back, even if she felt slightly... sick. The last, deep red layer was starting to make itself known and the clicking of her heels increased in pace as she ran to a rubbish bin.

She wondered for a while, how she was going to get home. Walking was not an option, Notting Hill was too far away to walk to at this time of the night, and the headache and a queasy stomach were not condusive to Apparating. The thought of spinning three times was also quickly banished so... she made her way back to the darkened Prophet offices.

[SilverTiger]

Brenna stepped out of Gringotts into the frosty air, pulling the thick black wool trench coat she was wearing over the gray skirt and bright blue blouse she had worn to work tighter around herself. With her dark hair trailing over the shoulders of the jacket, almost blending in, her fair skin and blue eyes stood out even more. Taking a deep breath, she carefully walked down the steps to get to the sidewalk, and then turned to head in the direction of her flat.

One of her hands crept up to her throat to finger the locket she still wore, seeing as she had neglected to follow the guy from the Leaky's suggestion and get an aquamarine to wear. She couldn't quite bring herself to take the locket off, especially around this time of year. When she pretty much only had Isolde who was happy to see her. Which, her cat was probably running around in the flat, waiting anxiously for her to get home.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Brenna stepped out of Gringotts into the frosty air, pulling the thick black wool trench coat she was wearing over the gray skirt and bright blue blouse she had worn to work tighter around herself. With her dark hair trailing over the shoulders of the jacket, almost blending in, her fair skin and blue eyes stood out even more. Taking a deep breath, she carefully walked down the steps to get to the sidewalk, and then turned to head in the direction of her flat.

One of her hands crept up to her throat to finger the locket she still wore, seeing as she had neglected to follow the guy from the Leaky's suggestion and get an aquamarine to wear. She couldn't quite bring herself to take the locket off, especially around this time of year. When she pretty much only had Isolde who was happy to see her. Which, her cat was probably running around in the flat, waiting anxiously for her to get home.

With carefully measured steps, Tarot picked his way through the crowd, collar turned up to keep the cold weather even the tiniest bit at bay. Eyes to the ground, watching the feet of others shuffling past him and his own feet as they dodged slush and muck. He couldn't remember the last time he'd actually walked down this street. It was surely just this morning, but all the days of going back and forth were beginning to blend together and become one. Soon, this walk would be lost in his mind as well, melded with the lump of memory reserved for his time spent wandering home.

Or not.

As he passed the bank, a gust of wind blasted him in the face and his arm shot up to keep it out of his eyes. At the same time, his foot found the one small spot on the sidewalk where the ice still managed to cling to the concrete, despite the pressure and scraping of Merlin knows how many feet, and he felt himself slipping, his feet starting that fateful slide out from under him.

How annoying.

He reached out a hand to find something solid to grab on to. There had to be a rubbish bin within reach or something, right? But no. His hand, grabbing blindly as his other arm was still shielding his eyes, latched onto something wooly. Something soft. Something definitely not as solid as a rubbish bin.

Going doooown.

At least he was taking someone with him.

[SilverTiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

With carefully measured steps, Tarot picked his way through the crowd, collar turned up to keep the cold weather even the tiniest bit at bay. Eyes to the ground, watching the feet of others shuffling past him and his own feet as they dodged slush and muck. He couldn't remember the last time he'd actually walked down this street. It was surely just this morning, but all the days of going back and forth were beginning to blend together and become one. Soon, this walk would be lost in his mind as well, melded with the lump of memory reserved for his time spent wandering home.

Or not.

As he passed the bank, a gust of wind blasted him in the face and his arm shot up to keep it out of his eyes. At the same time, his foot found the one small spot on the sidewalk where the ice still managed to cling to the concrete, despite the pressure and scraping of Merlin knows how many feet, and he felt himself slipping, his feet starting that fateful slide out from under him.

How annoying.

He reached out a hand to find something solid to grab on to. There had to be a rubbish bin within reach or something, right? But no. His hand, grabbing blindly as his other arm was still shielding his eyes, latched onto something wooly. Something soft. Something definitely not as solid as a rubbish bin.

Going doooown.

At least he was taking someone with him.

Brenna had been lost in her thoughts, still playing with her locket, when she felt someone grab her elbow. Her eyes widened in surprise, but as she turned to see who it was, she saw the very last person she had expected. And he hadn't seen it was her yet, what with how his other arm was covering his eyes. Clamping her mouth shut so she couldn't make any noises to alert him to her presence, she tried desperately to keep her balance, even though he was still falling.

But before she knew it, she was about to slide on the slick sidewalk, losing her own precarious balance. Dropping the locket from her fingers so she didn't accidentally hurt herself, she finally found herself sprawled over Tarot's body in the street, and squeezed her eyes shut as she hoped that none of this had ever happened, still remaining silent.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Brenna had been lost in her thoughts, still playing with her locket, when she felt someone grab her elbow. Her eyes widened in surprise, but as she turned to see who it was, she saw the very last person she had expected. And he hadn't seen it was her yet, what with how his other arm was covering his eyes. Clamping her mouth shut so she couldn't make any noises to alert him to her presence, she tried desperately to keep her balance, even though he was still falling.

But before she knew it, she was about to slide on the slick sidewalk, losing her own precarious balance. Dropping the locket from her fingers so she didn't accidentally hurt herself, she finally found herself sprawled over Tarot's body in the street, and squeezed her eyes shut as she hoped that none of this had ever happened, still remaining silent.

Falling hard on his back on the frigid concrete, Tarot's head followed the natural downward swoop of his body and the back of his skull smacked hard against the icy ground. His arm across his eyes moved away; the sky, and the visible buildings above him, were fuzzy and distorted. He blinked rapidly as a white-hot pain flooded across the back of his head.

And then the one he'd brought down with him landed on top of him, forcing his breath from his lungs. He fought to draw it back in.

"Dugbogs," he managed to gasp, just before darkness closed around him like a suffocating blanket. His grip on the elbow of his victim slackened as his blue eyes closed.

He really hated winter.

[SilverTiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

Falling hard on his back on the frigid concrete, Tarot's head followed the natural downward swoop of his body and the back of his skull smacked hard against the icy ground. His arm across his eyes moved away; the sky, and the visible buildings above him, were fuzzy and distorted. He blinked rapidly as a white-hot pain flooded across the back of his head.

And then the one he'd brought down with him landed on top of him, forcing his breath from his lungs. He fought to draw it back in.

"Dugbogs," he managed to gasp, just before darkness closed around him like a suffocating blanket. His grip on the elbow of his victim slackened as his blue eyes closed.

He really hated winter.

After a second or so of lying on top of him with her eyes closed, Brenna heard Tarot curse and struggled not to laugh. Of all the things he could have said, she was surprised that was what he had come up with. But it didn't seem like the comment had been directed to her, and she chose to keep still on the odd chance he hadn't recognized her.

Then she felt Tarot's hand fall from her arm, so she carefully opened her eyes, only to panic as she realized he had passed out. Carefully moving so she was off of him again, she got up halfway as she thought about leaving so he wouldn't have a chance to hurt her again when he woke up. But she couldn't leave, even to keep herself from breaking down again. Not leaving him lying unconscious in the street. Kneeling back down next to him, she took one of her gloves off and then put her cold hand on his face, wondering if she could shock him awake. "Tarot," she said quietly, bending over him, all her emotions warring inside her.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

After a second or so of lying on top of him with her eyes closed, Brenna heard Tarot curse and struggled not to laugh. Of all the things he could have said, she was surprised that was what he had come up with. But it didn't seem like the comment had been directed to her, and she chose to keep still on the odd chance he hadn't recognized her.

Then she felt Tarot's hand fall from her arm, so she carefully opened her eyes, only to panic as she realized he had passed out. Carefully moving so she was off of him again, she got up halfway as she thought about leaving so he wouldn't have a chance to hurt her again when he woke up. But she couldn't leave, even to keep herself from breaking down again. Not leaving him lying unconscious in the street. Kneeling back down next to him, she took one of her gloves off and then put her cold hand on his face, wondering if she could shock him awake. "Tarot," she said quietly, bending over him, all her emotions warring inside her.

Tarot's thin body was utterly still, his breathing slowly returning to its normal rhythm. He barely felt the cold hand on his cheek.

Slowly, the muffled sounds of the world around him began to return. Eyes still tightly jammed shut, he sluggishly became aware of the blistering pain in the back of his head. He let out a rattling breath and tried to open his eyes. Ow. Bright. He felt a groan slip up his throat as he put a hand to his eyes.

"Uhm... Apologies," he muttered to the person whose hand was on his face. "Didn't mean to pull you down with me..." The hand on his face was positively icy against his face. He rubbed his eyes furiously. "Did I..."

He didn't even have to ask. He was fairly sure he'd lost consciousness for at least a moment. His hand moved to the back of his head and he rubbed the bump gently as his vision started to slowly clear up. He'd grabbed a woman, apparently, but he still couldn't see the face quite right.

"You... look familiar..." He blinked a bit. But it didn't really help.

[SilverTiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

Tarot's thin body was utterly still, his breathing slowly returning to its normal rhythm. He barely felt the cold hand on his cheek.

Slowly, the muffled sounds of the world around him began to return. Eyes still tightly jammed shut, he sluggishly became aware of the blistering pain in the back of his head. He let out a rattling breath and tried to open his eyes. Ow. Bright. He felt a groan slip up his throat as he put a hand to his eyes.

"Uhm... Apologies," he muttered to the person whose hand was on his face. "Didn't mean to pull you down with me..." The hand on his face was positively icy against his face. He rubbed his eyes furiously. "Did I..."

He didn't even have to ask. He was fairly sure he'd lost consciousness for at least a moment. His hand moved to the back of his head and he rubbed the bump gently as his vision started to slowly clear up. He'd grabbed a woman, apparently, but he still couldn't see the face quite right.

"You... look familiar..." He blinked a bit. But it didn't really help.

Brenna let out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding as Tarot came back into consciousness. "It's fine," she said, still talking quietly, as she pulled her hand back and slipped her glove back on. Sitting back on her heels as she tried to give him a bit more space, she steeled herself for when he finally got over the fall.

But the first thing he had said once he had looked at her was that she looked familiar, and she started to worry he had hit his head harder than originally thought, and had amnesia or something. "You hit your head when you fell," she said, then moved to try to help him sit up carefully. This was scaring her; she almost would have rather he had just been his normal, vicious, cold self. Or even how he had been when they were younger.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Brenna let out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding as Tarot came back into consciousness. "It's fine," she said, still talking quietly, as she pulled her hand back and slipped her glove back on. Sitting back on her heels as she tried to give him a bit more space, she steeled herself for when he finally got over the fall.

But the first thing he had said once he had looked at her was that she looked familiar, and she started to worry he had hit his head harder than originally thought, and had amnesia or something. "You hit your head when you fell," she said, then moved to try to help him sit up carefully. This was scaring her; she almost would have rather he had just been his normal, vicious, cold self. Or even how he had been when they were younger.

This day was not going well at all. It was cold, it was damp, and he was lying on the sidewalk in slush and ice. In front of a woman. How horrid. The bump on the back of his head throbbed whenever he moved the slightest bit. He was willing to wager that it would hurt if he only just thought about moving...

"That would explain the extremely blurred vision," he said softly as she helped him sit up. The blurry outline of the woman in front of him swam back and forth. "Ugh. Can you do me a favour... Is the back of my head bleeding, or is that just melted snow? I really can't tell the difference at the moment."

Something about her felt... familiar. The outline reminded him of someone he knew, but at the moment, he couldn't pull up the name. He frowned. This... was just a wonderful end to a wonderful day.

"I'm Tarot Williams," he said softly as he wiped snow out of his ear.

[SilverTiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

This day was not going well at all. It was cold, it was damp, and he was lying on the sidewalk in slush and ice. In front of a woman. How horrid. The bump on the back of his head throbbed whenever he moved the slightest bit. He was willing to wager that it would hurt if he only just thought about moving...

"That would explain the extremely blurred vision," he said softly as she helped him sit up. The blurry outline of the woman in front of him swam back and forth. "Ugh. Can you do me a favour... Is the back of my head bleeding, or is that just melted snow? I really can't tell the difference at the moment."

Something about her felt... familiar. The outline reminded him of someone he knew, but at the moment, he couldn't pull up the name. He frowned. This... was just a wonderful end to a wonderful day.

"I'm Tarot Williams," he said softly as he wiped snow out of his ear.

Brenna was still worried, confused, and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Tarot was not acting normal. Not any form of normal she could connect to him, at least. But all she could really do is make sure he was okay, since she still couldn't bring herself to leave. "Of course," she murmured, then moved so she could see the back of his head. Taking another breath as she weirdly felt safer for the moment, she lightly touched the back of his head, keeping her gloves on this time.

After a few seconds, she spoke, "No blood. Just a really big bump. And the back of your head is all wet from the ground." Just like she knew her legs were getting wet and cold the longer she stayed down here. Shifting position, still behind him, she pulled the hem of her coat between herself and the ground, helping keep her from getting even more cold. "I know," she said just as softly, hoping he didn't exactly hear her.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Brenna was still worried, confused, and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Tarot was not acting normal. Not any form of normal she could connect to him, at least. But all she could really do is make sure he was okay, since she still couldn't bring herself to leave. "Of course," she murmured, then moved so she could see the back of his head. Taking another breath as she weirdly felt safer for the moment, she lightly touched the back of his head, keeping her gloves on this time.

After a few seconds, she spoke, "No blood. Just a really big bump. And the back of your head is all wet from the ground." Just like she knew her legs were getting wet and cold the longer she stayed down here. Shifting position, still behind him, she pulled the hem of her coat between herself and the ground, helping keep her from getting even more cold. "I know," she said just as softly, hoping he didn't exactly hear her.

Tarot sighed in relief. At least he wasn't bleeding. Bleeding was bad. It meant he'd have to see a Healer or something. And he didn't want to deal with Healers today, on the top of this.

"Thank you, Miss," he said, rubbing his eyes again. They started to focus better. He looked at her again as she said that she knew his name, and squinted his eyes. "You do? How do you kn-" he stopped short and leaned toward her. "...not... Brenna."

He'd grabbed Brenna? Of all the people on the street that he could've grabbed?! He gritted his teeth, a ticking bomb in his chest poised to explode at any moment. Of all the people! He'd grabbed the woman who had never had the strength to hold him up in any other situation, much less this.

[SilverTiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

Tarot sighed in relief. At least he wasn't bleeding. Bleeding was bad. It meant he'd have to see a Healer or something. And he didn't want to deal with Healers today, on the top of this.

"Thank you, Miss," he said, rubbing his eyes again. They started to focus better. He looked at her again as she said that she knew his name, and squinted his eyes. "You do? How do you kn-" he stopped short and leaned toward her. "...not... Brenna."

He'd grabbed Brenna? Of all the people on the street that he could've grabbed?! He gritted his teeth, a ticking bomb in his chest poised to explode at any moment. Of all the people! He'd grabbed the woman who had never had the strength to hold him up in any other situation, much less this.

Brenna knelt behind Tarot, staying quiet as he thanked her, and then her heart stopped for a second as he heard her statement about knowing his name. It had barely started again when he turned to squint at her, and then finally recognized her.

As he said her name, she could sense the change in his demeanor and her heart dropped. She felt herself pale as she tried to hold herself together. The only thing keeping her here was the fact he hadn't spoken again. That and the fact she was practically frozen from being on the ground this long.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Brenna knelt behind Tarot, staying quiet as he thanked her, and then her heart stopped for a second as he heard her statement about knowing his name. It had barely started again when he turned to squint at her, and then finally recognized her.

As he said her name, she could sense the change in his demeanor and her heart dropped. She felt herself pale as she tried to hold herself together. The only thing keeping her here was the fact he hadn't spoken again. That and the fact she was practically frozen from being on the ground this long.

"Merlin," he said through gritted teeth. "I...MERLIN."

Tarot tried to gather himself together. His vision was fast returning and he couldn't understand how he hadn't realized that it was her, immediately. She sounded like Brenna. She even SMELLED like Brenna. He felt like an idiot as he moved quickly to his feet.

"Ooooh," he murmured as he got into a fully standing position. His head swam lazily back and forth. "That is... not nice."

He closed his eyes for a moment, holding his arms out slightly to keep himself on balance. Just a bump. It was just a bump. He found himself suddenly thankful that his coat was warm enough to protect him from the frigidness of an arctic tundra. It hadn't let any of the water soak through and into him, at least...

"Sorry," he said tightly, hoping against hope that she would just disappear while he had his eyes closed.

[SilverTiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

"Merlin," he said through gritted teeth. "I...MERLIN."

Tarot tried to gather himself together. His vision was fast returning and he couldn't understand how he hadn't realized that it was her, immediately. She sounded like Brenna. She even SMELLED like Brenna. He felt like an idiot as he moved quickly to his feet.

"Ooooh," he murmured as he got into a fully standing position. His head swam lazily back and forth. "That is... not nice."

He closed his eyes for a moment, holding his arms out slightly to keep himself on balance. Just a bump. It was just a bump. He found himself suddenly thankful that his coat was warm enough to protect him from the frigidness of an arctic tundra. It hadn't let any of the water soak through and into him, at least...

"Sorry," he said tightly, hoping against hope that she would just disappear while he had his eyes closed.

As Tarot spoke again, Brenna closed her eyes tightly, trying to keep hold on the thin thread of control she still had. But she still knew when he had stood up, and as she heard his murmured comment, she slowly got to her feet, feeling herself start to tremble. She wasn't exactly sure if it was because standing exposed more of her now-damp clothing to the cold air, or if it was because of him.

Standing in place for another second, she watched as he swayed, trying to catch his balance, and then she instinctively reached out to try to help. She half-expected him to throw her off, even hit her, she wasn't sure, but her heart wouldn't let her leave. "It's okay," she murmured in response to his apology, her blue eyes starting to swim with tears against her will. At least he couldn't see it, with the way he had his eyes tightly closed.

[Ameh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

As Tarot spoke again, Brenna closed her eyes tightly, trying to keep hold on the thin thread of control she still had. But she still knew when he had stood up, and as she heard his murmured comment, she slowly got to her feet, feeling herself start to tremble. She wasn't exactly sure if it was because standing exposed more of her now-damp clothing to the cold air, or if it was because of him.

Standing in place for another second, she watched as he swayed, trying to catch his balance, and then she instinctively reached out to try to help. She half-expected him to throw her off, even hit her, she wasn't sure, but her heart wouldn't let her leave. "It's okay," she murmured in response to his apology, her blue eyes starting to swim with tears against her will. At least he couldn't see it, with the way he had his eyes tightly closed.

"I just... I slipped. And grabbed for a rubbish bin or something, and obviously..." he felt her gently reach to steady him, and opened his eyes to stare at the hands that were keeping him from falling again. "I'm fine. Just a bit disoriented." He fought against his natural instinct to ask if she was alright. This was Brenna. As much as she pretended she cared about him... it was painfully obvious that she didn't. So he'd given up on caring about her. But still... "You're... alright?"

Merlin, she was crying, wasn't she. He could tell. She couldn't hide anything from him, except the really important things apparently. But, for the moment, Tarot found that the sharp smacking of his head against the ground had knocked the majority of his 'mean' out of him, and he caught himself staring at her with worry written across his face. Had he hurt her when he'd grabbed her? Maybe he'd hurt her neck when he'd pulled so hard on her coat...The explosion that was threatening to happen in his stomach quelled itself as he looked her up and down.