Espresso Patronum
|
for Eva <3 She had gone about things rather backwards, or at least Jemma acknowledged to herself that some people might have thought as such. Getting the job before settling on a place to live, but then she had been staying with her mum and Gregory since she’d returned to England so technically she had somewhere to live. It just felt a bit like she was encroaching. Whether or not her mum and her adoptive dad told her otherwise. Staying with Uncle Léo or Aunt Camille in France was one thing. She’d been in school then, and neither of her relatives had said she was unwelcome even afterward although she had gotten a little flat in Paris once she’d started properly working there. Her boss in France had been very supportive of her seeking the transfer and promotion, though, and she herself had been curious if she could handle it. Either way, now that she’d officially gotten the transfer, it was time to see if she could find a flat here. Somewhere where she wasn’t invading her childhood home. Someone had mentioned a real estate office in the Alley, but first, sustenance was needed. House, or flat, hunting always could use a show of energy, and the brunette had stepped into the coffee shop for said energy. Things like this were rather the same no matter where she was, too. Cafés, and after ordering a cappuccino and a bacon, brie and cranberry panini, she roamed over to a table to sit. |
Quote:
Heading into the coffee shop, he quickly ordered a latte and a ham and chimera Spiced chutney sandwich before looking around for a place to sit. Spotting a pretty brunette sitting alone Cole on impulse headed over to her table with a friendly smile pursing his lips. "Hey! Do you by any chance have today's issue of the prophet?" |
Quote:
Not that she minded being interrupted. It wasn’t as if she was trying to project a sense of wanting to be alone, and she’d easily glanced up at the man as he’d asked his question. “I might”, she replied with a smile, letting him sweat just the tiniest but before she rummaged in her purse and withdrew the latest copy of the Prophet. “I’ll need it back once you’re finished, though.” For reference, of course. She’d already looked through the latest news from it earlier. |
The library was one of Oli's least favourite places, considering he spend an enormous amount of time there. It didn't matter if it was the one on the Edinburgh campus after lectures, or the one on London's campus on his days off (having access to both of them was one of the perks of his living situation), he hated going there. It was like the sense of stress and dread leeched from people into the air and made him feel like he should be panic-writing essays and chugging coffee to meet deadlines on topics that he hated. When he'd realised that it was making him less productive, he'd started to avoid them, which was why he could be found at the back of the coffee shop, numerous empty mugs acting as paper weights for his outlines, or holding books open as he read through them and tried to pull pieces for his latest assignment together. |
Quote:
The café appeared quite busy today, so as she slowly worked her way through the queue, she spent that time people watching. A person in front of her behaving impatiently, a couple seated at a table, a child with her mum pointing out the desserts... Ivy pondered each of the people in the café briefly, until her eyes landed on a young man toward the back of the room. He seemed...familiar? In some way? It was difficult to place exactly how or why from this angle though. But she would find out. After placing and receiving her order, Ivy walked over to the table, with a brief glance at the papers and books on the table. "Looks like a lot of work you've got there," she said, a friendly smile on her face. |
Quote:
When the shadow fell over his table, he was distracted from mentally tearing his work apart. Which was probably for the best, as he was often his own worst critic. But looking up, he offered a small, sheepish smile at the girl who looked an awful lot like one of Florrie's friends. Not that he was going to say anything, though - no, Olivier was far to awkward to acknowledge the fact, just in case it wasn't Florrie's friend. Or, in case it was, and she thought him bringing it up was just weird. Which would be totally valid, and he was absolutely not overthinking. So, instead, he just offered a small smile back, and returned his gaze to the papers before him, closing one of the heavy books with a thump. "It's less than it looks," he admitted. "But it's just coursework." |
Was there anyplace more fitting to share happy news with a friend than a patronus-themed establishment such as Espresso Patronum? Gabriel didn't think so. He ordered a pair of drinks for himself and his friend and claimed a seat near the window to wait for Joanna and the beverages. He clasped his hands and rested his forearms on the table, focusing all his attention on the door. After the war and being mernapped, it was nice to have good news for a change. |
Quote:
But, speaking of good things, Gabriel had been one of those and was one of the reasons her sanity had been kept. Which meant, naturally, she was delighted to grab a coffee with him - though it was still surreal to see him sans the eerie blue-green filter of the sea. She was, as always, putting in entirely too many hours at the Ministry but there was no rest for an aspiring Wizengamot. The Minister had even smiled and waved at her the other day while she was delivering some paperwork from Magical Cooperation - she was going places. No, she would not be accepting reminders that the Minister was an incredibly personable man and smiled at everyone. "Gabriel," she greeted, rolling the 'r' unnecessarily and spiritedly as she went in for a hug. "Oh? Is that a grande, quad, nonfat, one-pump, no-whip, mocha?" Her tone may not reflect so, but she WAS being facetious. |
Quote:
"How are you?" he added as he relaxed and took a sip of his own beverage (not a grande, quad anything, though technically it was no-whip). He hadn't spoken with her as often as he'd have liked since they'd been back at work, but he had been rather busy trying to catch up with everything. Presumably, so had she. |
Charlie had just finished her shift over at Madam Malkins, she was loving being an apprentice there. It felt so rewarding to be utilizing her skills there. Not only was she learning about merchandising she was also learning to make the things she so often wore to Hogwarts. She had grabbed a Caramelatte and a seat by the window. She needed to get in touch with a couple of her friends from Hogwarts that she hadn't seen in a while. How had they been out of school as long as they had? How was her younger sister just now headed off to Hogwarts with her brothers? It seemed absolutely impossible that it was already that time. At least it looked nice outside and would feel nice on her walk home. |
Waiting for Caes. Violet was sitting at a back table at Expresso Patronum nursing a large cup of coffee. She was dressed neither in the well-made but conservative clothes she had worn for most of her life nor anything from her brief stab at fashionable during her last year at Hogwarts, but a thrown-together, casual (and let's me frank, slightly rumpled) outfit. On the table was one of her ever-present writing journals and she had one of the Muggle ballpoints she favored ready in her right hand, but instead of working, she was staring off into space. She looked...tired. |
Caes had been planning the rest of summer out when he received a surprising invitation. It wasn't something he could see himself passing up after everything last year of course. So he dressed himself in one of his clean shirts and jeans before heading out. Grabbing himself a mocha his eyes scanned for the familiar sight and.. there she was. He felt a little nervous but a different kind of nervous than before. "Hi," Caes said, his grip on the cup loosened as he set it down. Violet seemed distracted so he sat down to be at her eye level. |
Quote:
Oh, hi Caes!" ok, Violet, that sounded too eager chill out. "How...how've you been? Do you miss Hogwarts, or were you glad to leave?" That's right, make pleasant small talk and try to gauge his reaction. |
Quote:
Caes hadn't been sure how he'd be feeling with a whole year without contact with Violet. She seemed to harbor no ill will towards him at her brightening up after recognizing him. His rare and small smile appeared at that as he remembered how attractive he found her and the good times they shared in a short time. How was he? "Good.. I joined the Chudley Cannons team as their new Seeker," Which was one of his good news. As for leaving Hogwarts, "Well, it'll be tough not seeing Aria and a special new young friend whose staying with us for the summer, but I'm good without Hogwarts otherwise." He definitely didn't dislike the school it just, well, was still school in the end outside of the fun and chaos. "How about you?" He asked tentatively. One of the reasons he felt nervous was in that they had gone a whole year without contact, "Were you able to get all my letters?" He knew he sent them but he hadn't been able to receive any until recently due to certain weather mishaps inconveniently. |
Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
"Thanks," Caes said, he had been nervous leading up to the tryouts and miraculously winning the spot. He usually kept his quidditch skills on the low or brief mentions out of his occasional insecurity on failing expectations. Perhaps it was Caes own turn to feel a bit flushed. Mostly of relief, to hear that the lack of letter response wasn't a case of bad luck or purposeful ignoring. Well, not intentionally. "Oh, I see... that's alright," He did briefly remember last year, with her mentioning about her mother coming back, "How is she..?" Clearly not well to still be in the hospital, but his question hung off of her progression status. "I... was a bit worried over a change that could've occurred." More or less. That was disheartening to know her passion of writing also took a hit from the events. Caes could see she was holding something back, it made him feel a bit guilty over not knowing the right thing to say as he searched her eyes for a hint on it. "I'm sorry to hear that.. is there anything I could do?" He asked. |
Quote:
"Um...fine. Restless if anything," she lamented before picking up her own drink and tipping it towards him in 'cheers' and taking a small sip. "It's like Atlantis has some pervasive Stockholm syndrome hold over me. I think you're one of the only people I can admit this to but...I miss it down there." Well, him and Eros mostly. She dare not ever mention such sentiments to Jacob who she could only imagine would lose his cool. Maybe Regina as well...who had really gone through the thick of it topside with having both family and friends as part of the hostage situation. "At least I get to still help out with diplomacy between the Ministry and Atlantis." Another heavy sigh as she took another sip and then set her drink down. "But enough of the woe is me treatment. What is new with yooooou?" She had he suspicions but, well, she could play coy. Quote:
In any case, it was a quick stop by Espresso Patronum for a Veggie Fidelius Flatbread and Cappuccino on his lunch break before he needed to pop back over to the flat, possibly wake up Theo, make sure Phoebe had done the dishes since it was her day, change, and grab his portkey to France to photograph another dinner party for the Benoit family. He had just received his order and pivoting to find a place to sit when he spotted a very familiar face. Naturally, he strolled over to her table and pulled up alongside where she sat. "How do angels greet each other?" |
Quote:
"I just wanted to see you, to explain things...a little, and just--well, I've missed seeing you all this time." Violet looked up at him, a little surprised that this was so very true. She'd been so preoccupied with her family the past year that she hadn't really taken stock of her own feelings. "And to see if you...if you still wanted to see me. I mean, it's been a long time and I'd understand it if you didn't, but I just wondered...." <long pause> "I'd certainly still like to see more of you." Violet delivered this last looking Caes straight between the eyes. Because she was tired of all the convoluted, subtle wordplay that passed for personal discussion among Slytherins, especially among her complicated family, and she had decided to try just being open about things. Because she wanted to find out where she stood and didn't have the emotional energy left to spend in beating around the bush. Even if she did wind up scaring Caes off (because of course, he was a Slytherin, too). |
Quote:
While Caes didn't know all of what was going through Violet, she was sharing enough for him to get a general idea. Everything was happening at once for her. To where she couldn't concentrate on her own passions. His smile may have came off sympathetic, but that was what he was feeling as she shared what she could. "I missed you too, Caes said honestly. Given how much she shared, he was torn between knowing she was going through things and now getting the validation on his best thoughts of her. Though, there was still a long enough gap to where as comforting as her words were, he still felt he was missing something. Could that have been it? If he was sure, it'd be easy to talk about wouldn't it? "You know, we did talk about seeing how things went with me still being at Hogwarts." He started. ".. it seems like the universe wanted to make it difficult for the both of us," Shaking his head, "I would like to see more of you and we shouldn't stop seeing each other.." Then before his next said of words came out he felt something. Something like a drop within him that pitted him, "..but I think it would have to be as friends," He said solemnly. He couldn't imagine how much it hurt her if this was hurting him,"Violet... I really, really like you, and you shouldn't have to think about my feelings whilst you're focusing on your mum," Pausing to think, this was the most he ever shared or ever broached about. "and your own passions again," Caes didn't feel it necessary to mention how much traveling he will end up doing now. He wouldn't be much of a boyfriend to expect her to make time for him and not follow through. Especially when he tried to consider himself in her place. If she wasn't even able to focus on her writing passion, how else could she fill her time? It didn't feel right to risk replacing it. It was hard for Caes to have his eyes remain on her after dropping such words, but he kept focus though the eyes were threatening to not feel so dry anymore. |
Quote:
NO! That was just self-pity. She was going to take care of her mother, take care of the family, put all her pain and anger and strange life into her work and become a fabulously successful author someday, travelling the world and living as she wished. (Well, maybe she would write one or two sad poems, but she would certainly never let Caes ever know about them!) "I see," she finally said aloud. "Well, I guess that's what I expected. We're really both too young to be making permanent life decisions right now, aren't we? So," Violet continued in a non-stop string of conversation, gathering her notebook and pencil together and stuffing them in a small carrier she had with her, "you'll have to send me a postcard now and then and let me know how the Canons are doing." Violet knew that rushing out right away was probably the wrong thing to do, but she didn't want to wait around in this awkward conversation until she said or did something too embarrassing and emotional. |
Quote:
Although he had been busy photographing just like she knew he would when they were in Hogwarts, he was so talented and he didn't even always acknowledge how talented he was. Hadn't she heard he was working in the alley now, "You're working around here now right?" She was going the opposite route as most people did after Hogwarts, but she loved what was happening. |
Quote:
Feeling stomach drop further, Caes knew this wouldn't start well but this took a turn even worse. His insecurities on being left alone started to rise again as he froze watching Violet collect her things he didn't register all of what she had said right away. I do want to see you and hang out but our romance was already on the freeze. It wasn't going to start back up again anyway but... maybe it was better left unsaid? No... They had to talk about this.. but if we can't talk about it extensively, then we aren't ready for this. He thought in the moment. Did she tell him to write a post card? Well, she didn't have the energy to write so what good will that do.... No. She had a reason to not write. A very important one. Maybe I am being selfish. Still, this was too much to think over in public right now. "Fine," Caes said. Leaving the money down that covered hers and his share of the bill, Caes then got up and went to the washroom to rinse out his not so dry eyes before heading home. |
Quote:
Violet felt just a little miffed that she, the injured party, was standing her worrying about Caes' feelings, since he'd just pretty much indicated that he was no longer interested in her, but she couldn't help worrying about how quickly he rushed off the the lav, and so she stood here like an idiot, clutching her notebook against her chest and waiting to see if he would come out again. She felt she needed to end this conversation a bit better, though right now all she wanted to do was to go find somewhere to hide (which she couldn't do anyhow, because after this, she had to go back to St. Mungo's). Adulting was not all it was cracked up to be. |
Linds! Noah had popped into Diagon Alley to meet up with his best mate. He was only planning on being the UK for a short time after he had dropped his two sisters off at King’s Cross. Quick visit to the fam and friends and then he’d be back to Japan to finish his final year of his residency. Then he’d officially be Healer Nam. Scary, that title made him feel older. He stood, in fourth position, as he eyed the menu. |
All times are GMT. The time now is 05:47 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.3.2 © 2009, Crawlability, Inc.
Site designed by Richard Harris Design