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| | South Side From Gringotts Wizarding Bank to Madam Primpernelle's, there are numerous shops to visit and places to socialise. | |
09-23-2018, 06:00 PM
| | |  Espresso Patronum
 Located on the South side of Diagon Alley in London, past a number of other shops you notice a quaint building. It is a café in this fairly busy part of section. What makes this different from the other shops? Their logo for one, resembling a wispy stag that moves every now and then in the window, illuminating from a quite distance in the evenings. One can't help but chance a glance as they pass by.
Approaching the café you get a large sense of security as a warm haze falls over you upon entry. There were tables outside the place, where diners could have their meals and chat among themselves as well as indoors. Heading on the inside you are greeted with the sight of many Patronuses floating throughout the walls behind the other stag logos of the café. The flooring a pleasant velvet red, further emphasizing the pleasant warmth one would experience whether for a quick stop or a romantic scenery.
Floating around you see the wispy forms moving around the walls featuring creatures such as phoenixes, zebras, otters, horses and many other magical creatures. Perhaps your own will join the walls if you stay long enough? The tables are compact and decorated with candles that automatically light up keeping the darkness at bay. Along with additional small booths near the back for more privacy. The Menu illuminates right behind the counter as you approach to order. As soon as you sit, you can't help but feel as if you're right at home.
This shop is NOT STAFFED and has a NPC shopkeeper.
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11-13-2019, 03:37 AM
|
#126 (permalink)
| | Kelpie
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio
Posts: 26,179
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Chloe McCarthy
Fifth Year
  x11  x9
Ministry RPG Name:
Victoria Culloden
Games & Sports
Ministry RPG Name:
Topanga Fuller
Transportation
Diagon Alley Employee:
Leon Brown
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour | Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie 
The only member of his family, included extended, was his precious peach of a daughter. Though his granddaughter did follow in her mum's footsteps as far as craftiness was concerned. Though his grandson wasn't awful either when he wanted to apply himself - he had SEEN the necklace he had performed a bit of metal charming to create for that lovely girlfriend of his.
"ONE! Oh what a glorious age. So many milestones! I hope you were able to experience one or two while spending time with him." Charles missed babies, which was likely why he made a grand spectacle out of any employee who happened to let slip in his presence that there was a pregnancy. He could argue that it was all for population purposes, but no one would ever believe that.
Taking a sip of his own coffee - MERLIN, why was it so sweet? - and then a bite of his danish, he brushed a few crumbs that had caught in his beard. "I've found that workaholics fall into one of four categories, if I may be so bold as to suggest. Motivational, Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral. Motivational being of the sort that work because they feel compelled to by internal pressures and do not necessarily enjoy their work. Typically...these sorts do not. Cognitive are those who find it difficult, perhaps impossible, to mentally disengage from work. Emotional, for those who experience negative feelings and thoughts when they are not working...anxieties, guilt, sadness...and Behavioral, where it is a reflex to work well beyond what any organization will expect. I feel I can safely rule three of these out easily for you, Victoria. After all, you have said it yourself that this job, the department, the work got you through many tough times." His analysis was not meant as a reprimand nor was he intending to perform some sort of grandfather lecture on his own employee, on his friend. His words were sincere and from the heart - though it was likely a bit difficult to take everything he said seriously with the bits of danish still clinging to his scruffy looking beard. "They do say that workaholism relates to feeling more guilt, anxiety, anger, and disappointment...either from the workplace itself of in private matters of the home." Which went without saying, truly. He gingerly reached across the table to rest a hand atop hers. "I am not ridiculing you for your work effort, Victoria. It is more that I worry for you, especially in light of what has happened with your family. So if a step away is what you believe is right for you, then you have my support. As your friend and as your Minister."
She sat listening to him talk and finishing up her pastry. She could fully imagine him with his family, an adoring father, and grandfather, probably singing Christmas carols and playing with the grandkids. Though if they were a bit older maybe they didn't play with him the way she was picturing, but she liked the picture and soon her mind was wandering off to the vision of Charles, the family man, at Christmas time. It was a pleasant picture playing in her head, but his voice brought her back and she sipped her coffee again.
"Oh yes, I do enjoy spending time with him. Bart and Cinna have done a great job with both children. Such loving souls to adopt. We couldn't be more blessed by the two boys." She loved her grandchildren so. "I hated leaving them to go to Brazil, but the girls needed to get away and recharge. Elisa is still blaming herself for not protecting her nephew and Alana still struggles with being a squib and this, it just sorts of got to her when he was missing and she wasn't even at the same school to help." It had always been a struggle, but Vic thought she had gotten passed some of it. She had been doing so well at her school, the swim team, even had a very sweet muggle boyfriend.
Listening to his explanation of workaholics and his analysis of her she couldn't deny that she felt she might fit about three of those if she was fully honest with herself. "With a team like mine you can't help but be proud that they can help out with so many things. I started the ministry after moving back from Australia after my first husband left me, I had nothing when I got here and had to start over. This department helped me start over, then again it showed me how great it could be when I had issues with the twins, then with my divorce and illness just a few years ago." She couldn't help but smile, this group of people that worked under her really didn't work under her, they worked beside her. She knew they could run the place without her, but she didn't want to ever think of herself not there. When his hand went to her she looked down at it as something pulled within her.
"I had from my problems with my work. It's probably part of the reason my second marriage didn't work." No, she was lying to herself, it wasn't the reason, but she felt it could be part of it, "But I would be lying to you if I would just agree that losing Tad was my reasons behind my thoughts." Her eyes went back to his hand again as she felt the words in her throat, but she wasn't sure how to bring them out. "I think if I was honest with myself I'm afraid of change more than anything and I feel a change going on that I'm not sure how to react to and I'm afraid that if I step forward with the change I'd be crossing a professional line and possibly be rejected for it." Her hand slipped from him to pick up her coffee and take a sip hoping to swallow the words with her drink.
__________________  | 
| | |
11-23-2019, 09:50 AM
|
#127 (permalink)
|  Wizarding World Admin
Events Admin
Minister for Magic
Co-DA Proprietor
Gladrags Mod
DoM & MO
 Erumpent
Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Equestria
Posts: 34,019
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Eiji Rasting
Fifth Year
x12 x12
Ministry RPG Name:
Charles Hollingberry
Minister's Office
Ministry RPG Name:
Airey Flamsteed
Mysteries
Diagon Alley Employee:
Zachaël Lufkin
Owl Post | astronomizzle ♧ gryffinDORK | & the rest is drag ♣ #badluckDerf
Charles never had problems expressing his love for his family, not since his departure from his own bloodline that is. Though he did get told from time to time that he was a bit too robust in his affections, namely from his teenage grandson who he was certain would come to appreciate it some day in the future. He had actually considered holding some sort of crafting session at the Ministry's daycare and he needed to discuss the idea with Zander. Something else to add to his docket once he was back in the office.
"How is your son? Still playing quidditch?" Which was a true illustration of just how in touch he was with the sport. Truly a bit embarrassing for a Minister of the country that had just hosted the Quidditch World Cup, but he had always been a bit of a conditional fan. "ONE! What a marvelous age. So many milestones to be had and the world becoming a much bigger place while also shrinking." He looked away a bit wistfully at nothing in particular. "Hopefully no where close to bringing the tree down on themselves? I remember Eiji doing that around that age."
His eyes fixed themselves back on Victoria as she spoke more about the department, though he wished to not dwell on those dark times. What she went on to explain was, least to say, rather perplexing. "Before anything goes wrong?" His bright blues blinked a bit in concerned confusion.
__________________ 
sometimes the only payoff for having any faith is when it's tested again and again every day....
I'm still comparing your past to my future; it might be over but they're not sutures ....
I am the sand bottom half of the hourglass; I try to picture me without you but I can't.... | |
| | |
11-26-2019, 04:03 AM
|
#128 (permalink)
| | Kelpie
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio
Posts: 26,179
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Chloe McCarthy
Fifth Year
x11 x9
Ministry RPG Name:
Victoria Culloden
Games & Sports
Ministry RPG Name:
Topanga Fuller
Transportation
Diagon Alley Employee:
Leon Brown
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour | Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie Charles never had problems expressing his love for his family, not since his departure from his own bloodline that is. Though he did get told from time to time that he was a bit too robust in his affections, namely from his teenage grandson who he was certain would come to appreciate it some day in the future. He had actually considered holding some sort of crafting session at the Ministry's daycare and he needed to discuss the idea with Zander. Something else to add to his docket once he was back in the office.
"How is your son? Still playing quidditch?" Which was a true illustration of just how in touch he was with the sport. Truly a bit embarrassing for a Minister of the country that had just hosted the Quidditch World Cup, but he had always been a bit of a conditional fan. "ONE! What a marvelous age. So many milestones to be had and the world becoming a much bigger place while also shrinking." He looked away a bit wistfully at nothing in particular. "Hopefully no where close to bringing the tree down on themselves? I remember Eiji doing that around that age."
His eyes fixed themselves back on Victoria as she spoke more about the department, though he wished to not dwell on those dark times. What she went on to explain was, least to say, rather perplexing. "Before anything goes wrong?" His bright blues blinked a bit in concerned confusion. She wasn't sure how Charles would respond to her words, but him looking at her seeming confused was not it. How to explain what was going on in her head. She picked up her cup to take another sip and realized it was empty and sat it back down. How had she gone through her coffee that quickly?
She was being too quiet for a bit longer than she would have liked, but soon she took a deep breath. "Yes, with this... with us." Did she really want to speak her mind like this? She wasn't sure she wanted to because there was a chance she was about to ruin their work relationship and friendship, but she wasn't one to lie about things either.
"I don't know Charles, maybe I'm just reading into things, or maybe I'm wanting something that... I don't know." She wasn't doing very good at explaining. "What I mean is the closer we have become the more I feel like I'm on the verge of stepping over a professional line, with either thoughts of asking you out or just telling you how I feel."
Was he getting the hint now?
__________________ | |
| | |
12-01-2019, 07:51 AM
|
#129 (permalink)
| Wizarding World Admin
Events Admin
Minister for Magic
Co-DA Proprietor
Gladrags Mod
DoM & MO
Erumpent
Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Equestria
Posts: 34,019
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Eiji Rasting
Fifth Year
x12 x12
Ministry RPG Name:
Charles Hollingberry
Minister's Office
Ministry RPG Name:
Airey Flamsteed
Mysteries
Diagon Alley Employee:
Zachaël Lufkin
Owl Post | astronomizzle ♧ gryffinDORK | & the rest is drag ♣ #badluckDerf
Charles Hollingberry was, at his core, a simple man with a simple mind. Particularly when it came to personal matters regarding himself and his...needs? Wants? It had been quite some time, since well before Yukie had fallen ill, that he had ever considered himself and what he wanted. He had worked for his children and his wife, dropped everything when she fell ill and in her untimely passing had spent all of his time, again, on his children and their happiness. Or, well, trying to corral some of them towards happiness and meeting resistance.
So for whatever reason, this situation was entirely throwing the man. A man in his age...dating? It seemed so preposterous and yet he could not see a reason why it would be so. Ryu had only just recently told him to 'get a life' and he supposed that this...was a part of the suggestion.
But still...
"...oh." His cheeks turning a bit rosy beneath the scruff clinging there, Charles ran his fingers along his jawline and trying to regain some sort of hold on the situation. Along with finally acknowledging a few things he had been purposefully and unfairly neglecting along the way over the past few years. Despite his surprise, the expression he wore was not an unpleasant one. "So...your thoughts of resigning would be in favor of pursuing a..." And he could not believe he was saying this word the ripe age of 73. "...a relationship...with me."
__________________
sometimes the only payoff for having any faith is when it's tested again and again every day....
I'm still comparing your past to my future; it might be over but they're not sutures ....
I am the sand bottom half of the hourglass; I try to picture me without you but I can't.... | |
| | |
12-04-2019, 04:41 AM
|
#130 (permalink)
| | Kelpie
Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio
Posts: 26,179
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Chloe McCarthy
Fifth Year
x11 x9
Ministry RPG Name:
Victoria Culloden
Games & Sports
Ministry RPG Name:
Topanga Fuller
Transportation
Diagon Alley Employee:
Leon Brown
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour | Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie Charles Hollingberry was, at his core, a simple man with a simple mind. Particularly when it came to personal matters regarding himself and his...needs? Wants? It had been quite some time, since well before Yukie had fallen ill, that he had ever considered himself and what he wanted. He had worked for his children and his wife, dropped everything when she fell ill and in her untimely passing had spent all of his time, again, on his children and their happiness. Or, well, trying to corral some of them towards happiness and meeting resistance.
So for whatever reason, this situation was entirely throwing the man. A man in his age...dating? It seemed so preposterous and yet he could not see a reason why it would be so. Ryu had only just recently told him to 'get a life' and he supposed that this...was a part of the suggestion.
But still...
"...oh." His cheeks turning a bit rosy beneath the scruff clinging there, Charles ran his fingers along his jawline and trying to regain some sort of hold on the situation. Along with finally acknowledging a few things he had been purposefully and unfairly neglecting along the way over the past few years. Despite his surprise, the expression he wore was not an unpleasant one. "So...your thoughts of resigning would be in favor of pursuing a..." And he could not believe he was saying this word the ripe age of 73. "...a relationship...with me." As soon as she said the words she wished she wouldn't have. She didn't want things to get awkward with Charles and she didn't even expect him to feel the same way, why was she such an idiot and a failure when it came to this part of her life. She was better off keeping her mouth shut and she wished she would have here.
"No, I mean..." She looked at him not really knowing what she meant. She liked him and yes she would like to see where this could go, but she didn't know how he felt, he was her boss, and this was just crazy. "Charles I've never expected anything like that. I'm just staying how I've been feeling. We have so much fun together and every time we are close I get distracted and feel myself slipping away from being professional. I just don't want to step over a line at work that would jeopardize anything." She really should stop talking, but unfortunately for Victoria shutting up was never something she did easy.
Gathering some of her things she looked at him, "Just forget I said anything about this. Honestly, retirement is just a thought right now, not official. I don't know what the future holds for me at the moment. " At least, not a longer future, the shorter could be her getting out of this shop before she said anything that would ruin any chance she'd be able to face going to work when it opened.
__________________ | |
| | |
Yesterday, 05:52 AM
|
#131 (permalink)
| Wizarding World Admin
Events Admin
Minister for Magic
Co-DA Proprietor
Gladrags Mod
DoM & MO
Erumpent
Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Equestria
Posts: 34,019
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Eiji Rasting
Fifth Year
x12 x12
Ministry RPG Name:
Charles Hollingberry
Minister's Office
Ministry RPG Name:
Airey Flamsteed
Mysteries
Diagon Alley Employee:
Zachaël Lufkin
Owl Post | astronomizzle ♧ gryffinDORK | & the rest is drag ♣ #badluckDerf
Charles feel like he had stepped into a bit of a time slip and he was no longer the graying Minister for Magic, but the dusty blonde Gryffindor boy with the vibrant green eyes sitting across from a classmate in the Great Hall. The timing? Somewhere around the Yule Ball, he figured.
But it was that variety of nervous energy, the brand of which he had forgotten and tucked away many...MANY years go and disregarded. But he was feeling it all again and it was both exhilarating and nerve wrecking. And perhaps he had been stroking his ego a bit in his assumption, but the more she spoke...the more he felt that he had at least been half correct and she was merely trying to course correct.
"Victoria," says softly as he moved one of his hands over hers and held it gently in his own. Thankfully he was not that teenage boy because his hands were perfectly dry still. "I cannot forget that you have said anything, because the truth of the matter is that I have become rather fond of you. Smitten, some would even say."
__________________
sometimes the only payoff for having any faith is when it's tested again and again every day....
I'm still comparing your past to my future; it might be over but they're not sutures ....
I am the sand bottom half of the hourglass; I try to picture me without you but I can't.... | |
| | 
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