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*Waddles* · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2021, 10:56 PM

The Melos in London.

A thread for exploring the interpersonal relationships of the Melo family.

Scene 1: After the war

Location:
Gabriel Melo’s London flat. There are three main rooms: a bedroom, a bathroom, and an open living space containing the kitchen area, a dining table, and a sitting area with a sofa and bookshelf. There are a handful of books and several tropical-looking plants on the bookshelf. There are several empty packages from Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes and a couple of half-unpacked suitcases scattered throughout the main room.
Scenario:
It is about a week after the war. Gabriel’s mother (Juniper) and twin (Rafael) showed up unexpectedly at his flat a day after the battle, to make sure he was not hurt. Gabriel was not hurt, and has invited his friend Missa to help prove that to his mother, and also is hoping she can be a second opinion about his Auror plan not being as dangerous as he knows Juniper thinks it is.

This is a CLOSED RP. Additional characters may be invited at the discretion of Waddles.

Characters:

Juniper Goodwin-Melo (Waddles)
Gabriel Melo (Waddles)
Rafael Melo (FearlessLeader19)
Missa Renaldi (Samia)

*Waddles* · 04-07-2021, 12:56 AM

Juniper Goodwin-Melo had been absolutely shocked when she showed up to her son's flat with her other son and no warning, and had found it a mess and plant-less. She had thought any child of hers would have the common sense to have at least one houseplant. It made the air cleaner, after all. And given his mess, cleaner air would have been a blessing.

And, given the mess, she had opted not to impose. That is, she had found a nice Muggle rental to stay at while she made sure her youngest son, her baby, was recuperating from that mess of a battle he had thrown himself into ~~without permission~~.

Though, to be fair, he hadn't asked permission to move to London, either. He should be glad she was visiting!

Today, she was fussing over the plants she had helped him accumulate over the past week. One plant a day, and she was worried they wouldn't do well here. "Gabriel, dear, you should have found a place with more natural light," she said, tsssking as she checked the dirt and rotated a plant or two that was already reaching toward the window.

Gabriel was sitting on his couch, not pouting but close. It had been bad enough when Isabella visited and refused to leave, and if it had been just Rafa here now, that would have been fine with him. But Isabella had the common sense to leave the flat, and leave him alone. Sure, she'd taken over the living area, but she'd also not tried to tell him what to do.

And not only was his mother not allowing him to do whatever he wanted, she wasn't letting him do anything.

So Gabriel sat on the couch, trying to ignore her and focus on his twin until Missa showed up.

"Rafael, how has uni been going?" he asked in Portuguese, sticking with small tall.

This was really, definitely proof that absolutely nothing was wrong with him, if he could small talk. This was basically just a regular unannounced, uninvited Melo visit where they could catch up. ~~He wasn't in denial or anything~~. But also, he hadn't seen his brother in over a year until they showed up at his door, so, he'd take what he could get in terms of the gossip on their mutual friends.

Samia · 04-08-2021, 04:10 PM

Missa was not the type to be late, but today she was sure she would be. University, and ministry and the YATI life were all becoming one and these days it was hard to keep up with everything. Her busted knee was not helping matters either. Limping everywhere was not something she fancied and it often left her in a sour mood, and her mood was what she was struggling with as she picked up some flowers and made her way to Gabriel's apartment.

Sure, she had agreed to visit while his mom was visiting - but stars had aligned to royally fudge up her day and now she was not looking forward to this meeting at all.

Sighing, and working on a few deep breaths to calm herself - she knocked on his door.

FearlessLeader19 · 04-11-2021, 07:26 PM

Did Rafael Melo think that his identical twin’s job was dangerous? Of course he did! But was he opposed to the job as his mother was? Not in the least. Rafa was all too confident that Gabe was capable of taking care of himself. Still, he needed to check that his brother hadn’t banged up his pretty face too badly. Rafa lowkey cared that his brother hadn’t banged up his mental faculties as well but since he was the cool twin, Rafa was not going to show how much he cared or had been worried.

Rafa was leaning casually against a wall watching their mother fuss about some stupid plants. He definitely had NOT inherited the love-for-plant gene. The young fella rolled his eyes at his brother, hoping Juniper wouldn’t turn around at the same time and catch him in the act.

“Not bad at all,’’ Rafa replied back, glad for a change in topic. “Been hitting the books as usual.’’ Studious. Rafa was studious, making up for that aspect that Gabe lacked. “Met anyone interesting?’’ he continued, lifting an eyebrow pointedly. He had deliberately shifted from University talk to something else: he didn’t want to bring discomfort to Gabe.

And as if on cue, there was a knock on the door that had Rafa lifting that eyebrow again. Was it Isabelle? Was it a friend of Gabe’s?

*Waddles* · 04-17-2021, 01:32 AM

Hitting the books. That sounded majorly dull to Gabriel, but was proof that it was he and not Rafa who was in fact the cool twin. How could someone who studied that much be cool? Unlike Gabriel, who was hip with the times. He definitely wouldn't be sitting alone in his flat if his mother and brother weren't here. Well, he would, but only because he was exhausted and his best friend spent too much time with her boyfriend ~~he wasn't jealous at all or anything~~. "Aren't you supposed to graduate soon?" Gabriel deflected. He might have been practicing his interrogation skills a little. It was hard to turn off the YATI stuff, especially since most of the people he knew here in London were in law enforcement. The shop talk during fun times generally couldn't be avoided.

He ignored the question about whether he'd met anyone. He had friends, all right, Rafael?

Well, at least one.

He jumped up and over the back of the couch at the knock on the door, racing to beat his mother. He pulled it open and beckoned Missa inside with a relieved grin. "Missa, hi!" he said, mildly out of breath from his parkour. "This...this is my brother, Rafael, and my mother," he said, gesturing to each of them. "Ma, Rafa, this is my friend, Missa, from work."

Juniper did not mind being ignored by her children. She'd had years of it at this point. Still, a little thank you, mum or gee, Ma, those plants look nice would have been appreciated, but a mother's work was often thankless. She was content, therefore, to keep busy puttering with the new plants and eavesdropping on her sons' conversations. Her Portuguese was nearly as good as theirs, after all.

She was surprised by the knock on the door, however. Isabella and Paul had both stayed in their respective countries, Isabella until she graduated and Paul until, well, forever, probably. So who could possibly be here?

A girl?

She was confused. Was Gabriel confused? He had never introduced a girl to them before. She stepped toward the door, smiling after just the moment of shock. "Hello, welcome to--oh, well you've probably been here before, haven't you." Hadn't she? Had this girl been here before? If Gabriel chose to introduce her to a "friend from work", did that mean he only had friends from work? Did he spend all his time working? That couldn't be healthy, with an intense and dangerous job like his. This mother had so many questions. But, she was trying to play it cool and spread them out so it wouldn't feel like an interrogation. ~~It would definitely be an interrogation.~~

FearlessLeader19 · 04-25-2021, 12:01 AM

Rafa could be… cool. He totally could be. He was a completely cool nerd. Didn’t Gabe know this? It always intrigued Rafa how, despite being twins, he and his brother were so different when it came to academics. This never bothered him though. Their relationship had always been an easy going one. And at least his brother was in one piece. This was of great relief to Rafa. Needless to say Rafa worried about Gabe because of the job but… well, Gabriel’s safety was in the Universe’s trust.

The older twin shrugged then pulled on an impish grin. “Yes but…” Wait for it! “Been thinking about doing another programme. Not quite sure yet what though.”

Rude. Gabe just ignored his question. Well, Rafa would get an answer out of him yet. At least there was one friend involved in his brother’s life. Rafa pushed himself off of the wall and held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Missa. Now I know he’s got a friend to keep an eye on him. He doesn’t get into too much trouble, does he?”

Rafa, with amusement written quite clearly on his face, watched his mother rattle off a greeting. Was it just him or did she look flustered? Concern was recognised, yes, but that was expected since she was such a worry-wart about Gabe being an Auror.

Samia · 05-04-2021, 07:05 PM

Despite feeling the way she was feeling, Missa's smile was in place when the door finally opened. She was also quick to notice Gabriel's troubled grin too - which ... amused her greatly.

It was that bad, huh?

Turning to look at his mother, she offered the lady the flowers, "Hello, I -- uh - yes, Mrs. Melo, I have been here before" she nodded - quickly glancing at Gabriel before back at his mom again, "Gabriel is a good host on nights we get off early from work"

Was that okay to say? Missa wasn't entirely sure how convincing Gabriel thought she'd be but the girl was trying. Turning to look at his brother, she smiled again, "lovely to meet you too, Rafa. I am sorry I didn't bring you any flowers" Gabriel had failed to mention the entire family was coming over. In all honesty, even if she had known - she wouldn't know what to bring. She was terrible at gifts.

But anyway --- she nodded at Rafa's question, a sincere look on her face, "We have each other's back" It was true. What they went through at the Battle of Hogwarts - she would never forget, and she knew she could always trust Gabriel.

*Waddles* · 05-15-2021, 08:49 PM

Rafael planning on another school program was definitely news to Gabriel. Then again, he'd been doing a poor job of keeping in touch. Switching programs though... that sounded like something Gabriel would do (in fact, had done), than his brother. Maybe he was rubbing off on him. Yeah, Rafa was becoming more like Gabriel. All was right with the world.

And their Ma was being very weird. Or maybe it had just been long enough since he'd had to deal with her antics that he'd forgotten what normal was for her. But really, why did she lead with you've been here before? That wasn't a normal thing for a mother to say to a guest.

Rafa, at least, was polite to Missa. And Missa was polite right back. His smile slowly grew from awkward to...well, still awkward, but a little less worried. Missa was amazing and would definitely make Ma more comfortable with those flowers which she would absolutely love because she loved plants. Sometimes more than her children, he thought. He let out a deep breath (he hadn't realized he'd been holding it) and looked between his mother, his brother, and his friend. "Missa--uh--has been very busy lately, since the...uhh...Missa went to Hogwarts, like you, Ma."

There. That was useful information. Now was Missa going to come inside?

Juniper had clearly missed something. She didn't know Gabriel was going to be introducing them to his girlfriend. Hadn't even known Gabriel liked girls that way. Not that she'd met many of his friends during his horrible attempt to learn something at university, but the woman could tell things. She knew her sons. And her daughter, but that wasn't the point here.

The flowers were a nice touch. She accepted them with a kind, if still confused, smile. "Thank you, Missa. That was very thoughtful of you," she said, already heading to her son's tiny kitchen to find a vase. "Please come in, have a seat!" Ah. There wasn't a single vase in here, was there. She opted for an empty jar, quickly filling it with water and placing the flowers in.

She returned immediately, ready for the little interrogation of her son's only apparent friend to begin. She supposed she could start with what house the girl was in, but that seemed a bit impersonal. Plus, it was best not to judge Hogwarts graduates by their house. Little Isabella had been a Hufflepuff once, but clearly should have been a Ravenclaw like her mother. In her opinion, anyway. "What made you decide to be an Auror?"

FearlessLeader19 · 05-23-2021, 01:08 AM

Of course Rafa was going to be nice to Missa. Rafa was nice to practically everyone- so long as they didn’t distract him from studying or tell him that he was on his way to becoming an overachiever. “Not to worry.” He liked this young woman already. Rafa could also tell that she was a genuine friend. That vibe was heavy in here. Did mother pick that up? And did their darling mother have to always be so… stiff? “Just keep looking out for him. And if he’s ever a bad friend, let me know. I’ll set him right.’’ Grinning, Rafa threw Gabe a wicked grin. Gabe could probably kick his butt in a fight but that wouldn’t stop Rafa.

He hung back, not wanting to get into anyone’s way and also wanting to see how the exchange went between Missa and his mother. Would there be drama? Should he get the popcorn? There was another vibe that he was picking up on: his mother was waiting to pounce on Missa by relentlessly questioning her.

Rafa on the other hand? He just wanted to question Missa about the Auror training procedure for knowledge sake. It would be nice to get a take on the training and career from someone other than his brother. Rafa was sure Gabe skipped out a great bit of the gory details.

Samia · 05-30-2021, 03:12 PM

Missa was starting to realise this evening was soon going to be a sort of an unwanted interrogation. Gabriel had warned her, but clearly not enough.

Smiling at Rafa, she moved to take a seat on the couch - as yet another question came her way from their mother.

And what a loaded question it was.

"Um" Unconsciously running a hand through her hair, Missa pondered what would be the right thing to say right now. This was a discussion - she had had only with a few. "I always wanted to do something that was bigger than me"

"Something with a purpose" she said, glancing once at Gabriel before looking at his mother again. "And I think after this ... war we just went through, my beliefs have only gotten stronger. There is nothing else I'd rather be doing right now"It was incredible but as the words left her, she realised this was something she hadn't even known about herself yet.

*Waddles* · 06-19-2021, 05:19 AM

Gabriel absolutely left out the gory details of Auror training. Between the distance and not being sure how much anyone would pass along to their mother...he didn't blame himself. Plus, he figured nobody but himself cared what was involved with YATI training. So he just said it was fun. Challenging, but fun.

He rolled his eyes at his brother, as though he'd ever be a bad friend to Missa. ~~Eiji would kick his butt more than Rafa ever could.~~

And then came more eye rolling at his mother's continued interrogation. Luckily his best friend was up to the task--until it came to the mention of the war. He gritted his teeth, eyes dashing between Missa, Rafael, and their mother. Maybe they could...move on? Skip over the topic? "See, Ma? Being an Auror isn't about the fighting, it's about doing something good," he said. He was trying to help Missa out. Maybe they could change the topic to...plants native to Scotland, or something.

Not that he knew any.

*****

Hmm. Missa's answer sounded familiar. It reminded her of Gabe (senior) when he'd first gotten into law enforcement. Unlike Missa, though, his tune had changed once he caught onto the joy of catching bad guys, or something. Maybe (maybe) Missa, and her son by extension, were on the right track with this...YATI thing. Or at least a different path than her late husband.

"I hope those beliefs stay with you," Juniper said quietly, taking a standing position near the couch. She was...hovering, but Gabriel really hadn't furnished his flat with much furniture.

"And you, Rafa, you're not off the hook either, I thought you'd have graduated by now!" Her children were all so smart, it shocked her when they did things like change majors or move to different continents for new opportunities.

FearlessLeader19 · 07-03-2021, 08:18 PM

Rafa lurked. He lurked by the nearest wall as though hoping to blend into the structure. He thought that Missa’s reply would make his mother ask even more questions… because that's how his mother was. “Is training as rigorous as they make it sound?” ‘They’ being the talk he’s heard via the grapevine.

As for Gabe? He would be WRONG for thinking that no one cared about him being a part of the YATI. Heck, Rafa thought it was super cool! And Gabe wasn’t even the cool twin… “Yeah, Ma,’’ the cooler twin agreed, trying to help the other two out. “They’re making a huge difference to the world.” There. He’d added his thoughts, seeing as how desperate Gabe seemed to be about wanting to get off this topic or at least, change the direction of it.

Hold up, hold up, hold up.

Why was mother dearest attacking him now? “Oh, ma.’’ Rafa sighed dramatically. “You know that I plan on taking up another programme. I’m not planning to be a university drop out.’’ Like a particular twin brother. Ahem. “I’ll be graduating before you know it. You’re going to be very proud of me.”

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