SPOILER!!: Brown-ie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Bennett's response didn't require further elaboration, so she was happy enough to let that conversation die. And in fact, she was willing to let any and all conversation die. It wasn't her strong suit. It was a skill she was developing, and with the right company it came easily enough... with Bennett though, it was still a chore, but this was in no way a reflection of him as a person.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Zeke stop and talk to strangers, apparently giving them directions as she saw him pointing and stuff before giving them a wave. She returned it, reluctantly. Yes yes yes, she was watching him, she knew he knew, they were fine. Her eyes didn't leave the boy even as he continued to the flat grass.

"Is this what you do with your weekend, Bennett?" she asked, perhaps a little curious. Loiter around parks company-less. Not so long ago she'd have thought this was fine, but she was fast becoming used to not being alone, so on closer consideration, it seemed almost sad.

From his last word silence had developed between them which was to be expected. Simon himself had been surprised the woman just one year older than he had even made a point to seek him out. Or at least acknowledge him other than in passing and by name. Nothing was expected of them besides perhaps the simple polite pleasantries if they so chose since they were outside work. Though he found himself waving back to the boy as Emily did almost without thinking since it was in both their directions, only stopping when he registered it and how it might be taken.

"Sometimes. When other stuff doesn't come up." It wasn't like it he spent all his weekends in the park. That would seem...weird and lonely. "And yourself?" the auror tentatively asked since she had opened it up a little. "Enjoying the day with...Zeke is it?" He seemed to remember that being the boy's name from the brief introductions at the pitch but he wasn't going to assume. Nor was he going to push for the story of that connection since he was certainly clueless. He and Emily just weren't on that sort of level in their relationship.

Slipping her left hand in her jeans pocket, Emily continued to sip her warm beverage with the other. She stole glances around the park, and occasionally at Bennett, simply because she could. Her focus however, was still very much with the boy. He was a hazard at the best of times, and an outright magnet for trouble at others.

"Fair enough," Emily nodded her understanding to Bennett's response. Other stuff... those did have a tendency to mess with ones day. Though for her, it was usually an unwelcome interruption to her plans. And herself? Emily waited for Bennett to finish what he was saying, since there was more he seemed to want to say. It didn't come as a surprise to her that he remembered Zeke's name, and it made the corners of her lips pull up in a smirk. "Mmm... you could say that. Though it'd have been more enjoyable had he not blackmailed me into it." Manipulative little so-and-so he was. "He's very insistent."

She was late.

Which.. wasn't that unusual, but the reason for her being late was. Sure, she probably could've just brushed the whole thing off and made her way to the park to meet Evelyn on time, but fussy Connor was fussy and he wasn't having any of that.

And it wasn't until the little guy managed to stop crying, even though it was his own fault, was she able to make her way there.

Destiny came to a halt right next to Evelyn by the pond once she found her, and despite putting Connor down on the ground being what caused everything to happen in the first place, she did just that. Only, this time, she was going to make sure she kept an even better eye on him. And she'd make sure to kick any bugs away before he could see them. "He ate a bug today. Then he wasn't happy when he realized the bug was gone."

Oh wait. Perhaps that reason wasn't so unusual after all.

SPOILER!!: Browne

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Slipping her left hand in her jeans pocket, Emily continued to sip her warm beverage with the other. She stole glances around the park, and occasionally at Bennett, simply because she could. Her focus however, was still very much with the boy. He was a hazard at the best of times, and an outright magnet for trouble at others.

"Fair enough," Emily nodded her understanding to Bennett's response. Other stuff... those did have a tendency to mess with ones day. Though for her, it was usually an unwelcome interruption to her plans. And herself? Emily waited for Bennett to finish what he was saying, since there was more he seemed to want to say. It didn't come as a surprise to her that he remembered Zeke's name, and it made the corners of her lips pull up in a smirk. "Mmm... you could say that. Though it'd have been more enjoyable had he not blackmailed me into it." Manipulative little so-and-so he was. "He's very insistent."

Was that a smirk at his question?

Simon thought so and he wasn't a complete failure at reading people. He couldn't help nodding in agreement as she told the tale of their own appearance in the park. "Ah, so he's...resourceful." In a way it was amusing to him, the fact that the boy seemed to know just how to get Emily to do what he wanted. Zeke learned quickly it appeared yet in this case it wasn't exactly bad. No doubt the woman could use the down time as much as the boy needed the way to expel the endless energy kids were known to have.

"Merlin help their parents when my nephews are old enough to learn." Josh and Ev would certainly have more than the handful they had now with infant twins.

HA!... Resourceful. That was one way of putting it. "Mmm, nasty habit he's picked up." And where he got it from, she had no idea. He was nothing but an innocent pushover of a muggle when she'd met him. And now he was this. Confident, manipulative, minimally overbearing and very much in love with magic. She supposed she'd done a fair enough job at raising him then, so long as his head remained this size and didn't swell to resemble Gavin's.

Emily's brows arched briefly as she sipped from her coffee, it just went to show she didn't really know Bennett on a personal level, not that there was anything wrong with that. "You have nephews Bennett?" she asked, curious. She was listening, though her eyes had shifted back to Zeke, who seemed to have given up on his soccer endeavours. He was never any good at socialising with the other kids, so it didn't surprise her that he was taking his time walking back to meet them. No doubt curiosity pulling him nearer.

Nasty or not, the boy had picked it up leaving the usually commanding woman to deal with the consequences. And his requests. That was a change, one of many Simon had been observing over the last several months. Not that he was necessarily willing to point them out and risk Emily's wrath. For now he would stand on the sideline and enjoy the show quietly.

"Uh huh," he confirmed and then explained since she seemed curious about it. Or at least surprised by his comment. "Technically not blood-related since they aren't my older brother's children. But as I was dubbed Uncle Simon at the last babysitting experience, I believe that makes Josh and Ev's twins my nephews." And that was a fact and a role he was proud of and willing to undertake. Someone had to look after the boys outside their parents and the auror was already protective of their father as his partner and best friend.

Bennett's brief silence hadn't gone unnoticed, but she didn't care enough to comment on it. Instead she continued walking, leisurely, enjoying what the day had to offer... the lack of rain as of late was greatly appreciated.

She wasn't taking notes, but it was interesting to hear Bennett speak of his personal life. Who knew he babysat? HA! ... Did he do small boys too? .... Of course she shouldn't have been surprised that Carter was involved, those twins of his, she remembered them. Or rather, remembered Carter speaking of them, and shopping for them too. Heh. "Aaaaahh... charming, it's nice to hear you two are so close," she replied conversationally. Her pace slowed as Zeke closed the gap between them, holding out the soccer ball for her, she didn't take it.

"I'm done with it," Zeke supplied, content with giving up the ball. He fell into step with Emily, filling the gap between her and the other dude. The dude he recognised as Bennett. But really, soccer was no fun unless Ashley was around, running sports weren't his thing, so he was done. "Take it? Make it small again?" And yeah, he knew there were muggles around. Whoooops. But back to more important things, like BENNETT... "So we meet again," he noted, an eyebrow raised curiously. Was this a planned meeting?

Emily just shook her head. He was done with it... of course he was done with it... but she refused to indulge him. He'd hold that thing all the way home.

Was Emily's own silence a hint at the woman being surprised and taken back by his admittances? Or merely the woman digesting what she was being told? Nevertheless, Simon endured the inquiries and comments about his private life, nodding about him and his best friend. "Admittedly its nice to have someone that close." In a way, Josh had filled the spot formerly held exclusively by his brother Jasper who was an auror in his own right just elsewhere. And Ev could be a good friend to have as well, just as long as you remained on her good side.

Despite the fact that they were already moving at a slower that his normal pace in his relaxed state, he found himself moving slower to accommodate Zeke's boyhood stride once the boy joined them and seemed intent on staying put. Slipping in between him and Emily as they continued walking through the park. "So we do," he confirmed, debating what else to say. Especially considering the raised eyebrow from the boy that seemed oddly familiar in style as it was directed his way.

Noticing and recognizing the muggle ball in Zeke's hands, the one that he was trying to pass off to Emily, the auror opted to go in the direction of the sport represented by the item. "So you like football?"

Welp, that pretty idea flew out the door.

With the arrival of her friend, she quickly composed herself as much as she could, before raising an eyebrow. Come again? Turning a little to the side, her gaze settled on Destiny, and then her child upon the ground. A bug? ...Connor ate a bug?

"Did you eat a buuuug?" she coohed, suddenly bending down to be nearer to the youngster. "You're getting so big, what haaappened?"

Teehee!

Dare she say it out loud? She could agree with the Auror, on a social matter? Were pigs sprouting wings as they spoke? "It is... nice," she agreed somewhat stiffly. This whole exchanging niceties on a personal level was still new to her. Her circle was tight, exclusive, and this was new territory. That was perhaps the extent of the conversation, she couldn't think of any other pleasantries to add for the sake of momentum. Instead she was content with resting her arm on Zeke's shoulder long enough to ruffle his hair.

Okaaayyyyy. He got the hint. She wouldn't take the ball and he'd have to live with it. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment of this, and instead of dodging Emily's meddling fingers, he embraced her ruffling and focused instead on Bennett. Nosy question. Didn't the man know he liked asking the questions? Emily had even taught him some interrogation techniques he had yet to practice much. Giving Bennett a once over, he pulled a contemplative face, considering whether or not to answer his question. In the end he decided there wasn't much to it, so he could spare him this courtesy at least.

"Nope, not really... but Ashley does, so it's sometimes alright," not that that would mean anything to him. Zeke didn't have the coordination of an Auror, and he wasn't much keen on running, there was no point in being so hasty for a ball if there wasn't the promise of fun involved, but he liked trying things. It was a shame trying things by himself didn't work out. "Do you have any cool scars?" he asked, settling on this question out of the hundred floating around in his head. Zeke had instinctively taken a step closer to Bennett, away from Emily and her flicking fingers.

Jared was still absorbed in Ministry thoughts but he did notice Maria coming. Sort of. Apparently she had seen the look on his face just before he noticed her. Woops. He used his foot to push himself away from the tree and smiled brightly at the newcomer. "Trust me, it's not." He hadn't particularly gone on a date with her yet, being that their first one, but he could hazard a guess. Heh.

"Madam." He pushed the Ministry thoughts to the back of his mind as he gestured towards the picnic cloth and gently place his hand on her back to guide her that way. "Lovely dress, by the way, my lady." Jared added thoughtfully. The woman didn't usually wear those, from what he was aware.

Good thing it was a nice day. "What a nice way to spend such beautiful day." He commented casually as he prepared the place for them to sit. "You must be glad to not be at that store on a day like this." Jared said jokingly but with a hint of truth, looking from Maria to their surrounding. Honestly, the park looked like it had just came out from a book narrative. Nice, very nice.

While she was nervous, Maria did like to believe that going on a date with her wouldn't be bad so, when Jared confirmed it, she smiled. A proper, genuine smile from the Jennings. Despite the fact that this was their first date, meaning he had nothing to base this on. "And that's the correct answer." Winks for you, Cattermole.

She wasn't forgetting that weird look on his face from earlier, by the way. Smiles or not.

Madam and my lady were both very fancy, which caused a slight blush to creep up on her cheeks that she was trying to hide with her raised eyebrows. "Thank you. I thought I'd dress up for the occasion," she said, heading over towards the picnic cloth, "You don't look bad yourself, by the way." Which was high praise coming from a woman who hardly complimented people.

Smirk. "Since when do you comment on the weather?" Amused, she was. But she nodded and continued, "You've picked a nice day for our date." That still felt different. Their date. Her and Jared. Jeez, she poked fun at the man and his mermaid obsession a lot. Being away from the store? Oh har har. "I'm not getting strange men giving me pansies in the middle of the day so there's that," Teasing, she was. "You're right, it's nice to be away from the store for a bit." And she loved parks, did he know? Finally taking a seat, her eyes swept the surrounding park area before settling on Jared. "What about you? How's everything in your world?"

"And that is the correct smile." Jared corresponded the wink with another one back. He appreciated her genuine smile and kept his dashing bright one on.

He actually missed the blushing this time, but was glad to hear she had dressed up for the occasion. "It's good to hear someone's dressing up for me." He added casually as he moved some of the snacs around the cloth for him to sit down, a teasing but pleased smile on his lips. "Oh, thank you." And he looked at her, amused. "Is this really Maria Jennings complimenting me? I must look really good today then!" Heeeeeh. Wink. He had also 'dressed up for the occasion' after all.

Maria's remark about his comment on the weather made him genuinely laugh. He hadn't realised he had actually started talking about the weather to break the ice. He wasn't the type of person to do that most of the time, so he had to agree with her that it had been funny. "That's true, but this is actually a nice day, so it had to be commented on." He shrugged, still very amused at the situation. "I have indeed, but not as nice as my date herself." Merlin, was he dazzling or what? Not only was he amused by the weather-situation that had just taken place, but Jared's flirtatious mood was also amusing him.

Her next comment made him laugh out loud again. "I had forgotten about this funny side of yours." Jared said once he was done laughing about the strange men giving her pansies comment. "You let me know if anyone else gives you pansies. Someone will have to tell them I'm the only one to give you those." He said with a half smirk as he glanced sideways to look at her. But of course it was nice to be out anyway. Especially with him, riiight? Muehehehe.

"How's everything in my world?" The former Ravenclaw repeated, amused, as he stretched his legs and looked at the pond in front of them. "Things are perfectly fine in my world, to be fair." He said in his casual tone. "Job's going well, family's all right and I'm here with you now, so yeah, I don't have much to complain about."

Maria could feel her cheeks reddening again. Jeez, Cattermole. She was going to look like a tomato at the end of this and it was entirely his fault. Him and that dashing smile. "I'm glad you like it."

She eyed the snacks on the cloth curiously before glancing over at the man. "Bet it's doing wonders for your ego knowing that a woman dressed up for you," Teasing was being returned because this was their, er, friendship? Merlin, were they even friends if they're going on a date? "You're welcome," SNORT. "Don't let it get to your head, Cattermole. You don't look half bad usually." Today was just a special day, which called for special compliments.

It was nice to hear him laughing. Strange that he had decided to bring up the topic of the weather but the laugh was appreciated. "I guess that's fair. Mind you, I don't think I'd have been impressed if you picked a day that was horrible." Or she'd have been exasperated at the weather. Not Jared's fault. His next comment, though? Not only did it make her blush yet again but she also couldn't help raising her eyebrows at him. "You sure know how to compliment a woman."

Her funny side. The shopkeeper was full on smiling at this point. "Maybe you'll see more of it, then." To remind him, and to probably make him laugh more. "What are you going to do if another man sends me pansies?" she asked, returning his smirk with one of her own. Whatever this was, she did like it, but she was curious. Especially since she didn't peg Jared to be this kind of man.

Maria nodded, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. Perfectly fine? "Happy to hear that," Especially the part about not complaining about being here with her. Though, he had been the one to ask her out. "Thank you for all of this, by the way. It's very sweet of you." More compliments. Jeez, this really wasn't like her.

Her spring break was coming to an end soon and there were still so many people she wanted to see, so many news she wanted to deliver, and so many old faces she wanted to gaze at nostalgically. Joao fit in all three categories, even if Louisa was never showing any apparent signs of said emotions and thoughts. He had a big head between his shoulders as it is, no need to bloat that even more.

HOWEVER, this time she had this beautiful fixer-upper campervan to show off! It was way beneath his taste and what his loaded parents would get him if he asked for a vehicle, but he wasn't the most predictable boy guy, so today should be interesting. And maybe fun.

Parking by the city park, Louisa paid for her spot and poked out of the driver's window, folding her arms on the roof of the van, waiting for the sign of the Brazilian stud.

João calmly drove in his not so brand new sports car to the meeting spot. He thought of parking on another street and walk to the place, but he didn't think he was calm enough to walk (as driving generally soothed him). He didn't even know why Louisa wanted to see him. Last time, if he remembered correctly, went terribly; and they hadn't written a word to each other for the past two years. Was it that she needed something from him? Had to be. Well, they'd see soon.

Neatly parking the car in one manoeuvre, he got out, folded his arms and leaned on his car. He paid no attention to the van there, though, because he didn't think Louisa even KNEW how to drive.

Waiting waiting... waiting.. since when did Joao get late for his appointments, hmm? It was one of his good qualities, he never kept a lady waiting. Or did he not consider her a lady? This would be, oddly, a compliment to Louisa if he didn't - just one of the guys, y'know, like Treyen always thought of her as. Anyway, back to the point... where was he? She was growing tired sitting like this, nothing supporting her back. Not to mention this extravagant car parked nearby that made her vehicle look like a squashed big ugly beetle. Someone was leaning on it, though, and now that she gave him a second glance... oh dear.

"Jwaaaaaaww!" Louisa called out, the familiar wrong way in which she always pronounced his name coming out naturally. She drummed her arms on the roof of her van, too, almost losing her balance and falling backwards on the street. "Hiya! I'm here!" She grinned at him and waved enthusiastically, forgetting for the time being that his car easily outranked hers.

Y'know, while João didn't necessarily remember Louisa's ever being late to anything, he also wasn't surprised that she was late. He checked his watch, looked around, and checked his watch again. Yep. She was late. Well. It'd be better if this van just moved out, because it was kind of blocking his view -

SHE WAS CALLING HIS NAME WHERE -

She was actually IN that van!

João dumbly stared at her for a second before he collected himself and smiled hesitantly. "Hello!" he called back as he moved towards her somewhat timidly. He stopped right next to her door (in case she FELL with all the... excitement?) and staaaared without matching her grin. He clearly didn't know how he should act.

"Err, how are you?"

Louisa waited paaaaatiently for him to drag his butt over to her. Yes, he looked stricken and timid and not sure of what to make of her enthusiasm. Big surprise, eh? The boy man needed to just relax and go with the flow already. When he made it there, she kept her grin, placed a hand on his shoulder and wiggled out of the window until she dropped/put her feet on the ground. Pretty nifty move that she'd learnt recently. The doors were overrated, obviously.

"Oh don't you errr me, Jwaw Neves." Louisa leaned back on the van and gestured dramatically with her arms, "I'm obviously having the time of my life. I get my driving license, I manage to confuse the muggle traffic officers with it, because it's apparently only good to use in Wellington, and I decide to surprise you with my brand new toy." She dropped her arms and shuffled to the side so she could gesture at HIS car, without taking her eyes off him. "And what do I find? I find you driving this crazy luxurious, too-shiny-to-touch car!" There was no reason not to laugh at the big boo situation she found herself in, and so Louisa laughed.

Well, if she was still grinning... if she insisted... João smiled back. Sure, he still thought that this was going to end back, but he was going to enjoy before it became nasty. He mumbled "Impressive," when she got out from the window and chuckled when she misprounced his name again.

And then he laughed with her, because the way she put it sounded funny.

"No but," he breathed in the end, "you did surprise me. I would have never guessed it was you inside here. And you can touch my car. Just don't stratch it." He grinned then, because it was only half a joke. "A minister's assistant must set an exaple, no?" As they had lost contact for the past two years, he guessed she didn't know it.

Louisa moved back closer to him, still recovering from her laughter. He seemed to see the joke at last, hallelujah Mr. Neves.

He was surprised to see her in the van? "Why? do you think I'm more worthy of a limousine?" She winked at him, and would nudge him but didn't want to feel those abs under that t-shirt. How come he was shorter, with no abs when he was HER boyfriend, by the way? Hmm? Always getting the short end of the stick. But now he was offering her to touch his car! Louisa begged her eyes not to sparkle like a kid. "Oh? Can I drive it?" YES? PLEASE? She never begged this Brazilian guy before but now... she was considering it...

... a minister's what? She blinked at him. "You're one of the minister's assistants? Blimey, do you know what that means?" HMM? "You only need to kill the minister, all the other assistants and boom! You'll concquer this country. A brand new minister with a fresh head, clear from all the bureaucratic ways and filled with enthusiasm to help the youth build a better future. You even have a psycho girlfriend to help you with that!" She was having a laughing fit by the time she finished talking. It WAS funny, and unfortunately true. About the girlfriend helping him with this.

João laughed shortly. "Why, yes." She DID deserve a limousine. If he had the money...

But then she wasn't even his... friend (?) anymore, so he wouldn't have rented a limousine even if he'd had the money.

Drive it. His precious car. He hesitated - very briefly - before he nodded and smiled. "If you promise you know how traffic works here." Because if he remembered correctly, the traffic was on the right side in New Zealand too just like the rest of the world. He didn't want his car to hit another one on the opposite lane.

But never mind, because his chest puffed out unconsciously a little with pride. "I am, yes." He grinned -

...

He roared into a laughter (ignoring the 'psycho' for Aspen) - a long one that left his eyes watery. "Good gracious, Louisa!" he breathed once he thought laughing was over, but he laughed a bit again as an after-shock. "Do they teach you this?" He wiped his eyes and breeeaaathed. "I mean, yeah, you're right, but how you thought all of it just like that..." He shook his head. He was amazed.

Even though he was probably just humoring her, Louisa felt quite good that he indulged her fantasy of a limousine and chuckled with a shake of her head at him.

He... would... let... her... drive??? When she asked, Louisa was expecting a firm, no-brainer 'no'. Joao didn't owe her anything, they were just friends and so he could object every single request she asked of him. If anything, just for those fights they had every time they met. They must be confusing the heck out of him. "Why are you being so nice to me?" Louisa laughed, not because it was funny but because it was making her nervous. "Not that I mind! I'll take you up on that. And don't you worry! I've been driving this van for two weeks, haven't been in a single accident." She waved her hand dismissively, as if the mere thought was ridiculous.

Oh oops, she made him cry. With laughter, but it definitely counted. Louisa waited him to finish, a smirk plastered on her face, and then shrugged her shoulders. "Nobody teaches me anything. I was born this way." He should know. Heh heh. "Whaaaaa. Don't tell me it didn't cross your mind." Wink wink. "Anyway, this is such great news. When were you planning on telling me? Hmmm? Or are you going to take every spat we have to heart and cross me off the friends' list?" He should get worried when Louisa didn't fight with him, not the other way around. Pfft.

Simon wondered on the answer he would get from the boy, or the comfort level of both him and his guardian, the auror's boss would be in this continued line of questioning. Emily hadn't really seemed to have been a fan of the two of them interacting much at the quidditch match where they had first met. However it went through with no issue though the mention of a girl in the matter was curious. "Ah...yeah its not so much fun alone." He could sympathize from personal experience when he himself was younger but not about to reveal it for it wasn't that relevant. And more delving into his personal life and he and Emily might have reached that limit already.

Cool scars?

"Well I don't know if it would be considered cool or not," he mused before raising his right arm across his body to show the boy his hand. "But this one was obtained from a sword fight," the auror explained, the crescent shaped scar residing beneath the junction of his thumb and pointer finger and above his wrist was one of the last physical reminders of his days as a pirate his last year in school. Was it luck or his skill that was the reason he didn't have much to say in the way from scars from his actual dangerous work?

"Why are you questioning?" He grinned. He was going to give her the benefit of the doubt and not worry that her laugh was nervous. He looked at the van when she gestured, and then he turned his head the opposite way to look at his precious car. He... was getting worried. "That might be because people daren't corner you in that," he said, indicating the van with his head, "but I trust you." Yeeeeeah, if he repeated that for a million times, he could believe it that everything was going to be fine. "Because you'll pay the damages if you do have an accident." He grinned again, because he was joking, but he dearly hoped she really would treat his baby well.

"Ah, how could I forget." She WAS born that way. He shook his head to himself, but then his heart fell: she caught him, didn't she? He got serious all of a sudden and looked at her in worry. "I thought you crossed me off your list, actually," he said softly and studied her face carefully.