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You Get It From Your Mother's Side
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 07-31-11 12:02
Further along High Street from Botanicals & Beyond Kissy Isuki is facing her own parental woes. In an effort to better reconnect after everything that had gone on over the past few years Adamu had asked Kissy to have lunch with him today. As she was going to be in Hogsmeade taking a shift as a supervising professor roaming the village as a reminder that students are still expected to be on best behavior, Kissy had planned on having lunch there anyway. She saw no reason not to have it with her father, especially given the reason he was wanting to spend some time with her. Now, though, she's wondering if she should have put him off until another time.
She idly swirls the chilled spiced pumpkin juice in her glass while fighting to retain what little patience she has left. With ever breath in she counts to ten before exhaling, reminding herself it is a gorgeous day and the Crown & Cauldron table is pleasantly situated in an outdoor garden area. Acrossom from her Adamu repeats for the third time since this conversation began, "You are thirty years old, Kisiaki "
"So Mum keeps reminding me. If not for you two I am quite sure I'd have forgetten my age by now."
"An age that has us concerned that you will never find someone to take care of you "
"I am so so tired of saying this but I will say it again. I. DO. NOT. NEED. TAKING. CARE. OF." She forcefully punctuates each word through gritted teeth."
"Someone to provide for you "
"Dad "
"We want you to have the fulfillment of children "
"DAD "
"And see you with a secure, comfortable future."
"DAD "
"Most importantly we want you to be happy and "
"DAD, STOP TALKING!"
Adamu looks puzzled as if he's only just realized Kissy had been talking and cannot understand why she's using the tone she is or why her expression is thunderous.
Kissy slowly exhales another ten count held breath. "This females are helpless and need to have husbands attitude is part of what led to much of what happen. I have been over and over this with both if you. I do not need a husband to provide for me, to offer me security, comfort, happiness or anything else."
"You aren't, you know, a ," Adamu colors, struggling to make himself say the word.
Amused that in this day and age her father would be so highly uncomfortable saying a word like lesbian, Kissy can't help but smile. "A lesbian? No, I'm not but so what if I were."
"I don't understand then, why do you deny the need of a husband?"
"Because I don't NEED one. Want and need are two entirely different things in this situation. I don't need a husband but sure, when I meet the right man, then may I'll want one. I have a job I like very much that pays me quite suitably. I do not need someone else to provide for me. It's nice that you and Mum are concerned for my future and whether I am happy or not but, Dad, if either of you start in on me again about being thirty and unmarried, I will terminate the conversation and leave. I won't care where we are or what is going on, I will walk away and I will do it every time this topic is brought up to me from here on out. Understand?"
Adamu frowns but knowing by now that Kissy will do exactly as she's threatening he acquiesces. "Yes, I understand and I will make sure your mother does too."
"And no blind dates."
Adamu grumbles, "But what if we meet a nice man that we think you'd get on well with?"
"Then introduce me sometime without making it a set up for a date."
"You must have gotten this obstance from your mother's side of the family."
"Yes, probably so, because no one on the Isuki side is stubborn or hard headed in the least. I think I would like some dessert. Would you care to share or get something on your own?"
"Sharing something would be nice."
Spotting their waiter Kissy waves him over. "If we want to share a dessert, what would you reccomend?"
While the waiter runs through the best options and waits for them to decide, Kissy gives her father a sidelong glance wondering how long either of her parents will be able to last before the need to say something about Kissy's age and marital status becomes too overwhelming.
(Mark) Late Start
Author: Isolde
Date: 07-31-11 14:44
Although Mark had planned on spending the entire day in Hogsmeade, everything had gone to pot when he'd gotten a letter from home that had required a prompt response. Then he'd gotten caught by Filch, who'd accused him of mischief, but what exactly he'd allegedly done, Mark still didn't know. Their exchange had lasted a good half hour and had consisted of Filch complaining while barring Mark's access to the castle doors.
It had been Kate Dewhurst, of all people, who'd managed to free him from Filch. She'd come up from the cellar and informed Filch of a mess Peeves had left in the corridor.
The castle caretaker had immediately shuffled off to attend to the mess, leaving Mark free to leave for the village. Both Kate and Mark had made plans with Johanna, Felicia and Gus to meet in Hogsmeade at The Three Broomsticks. As both had left the castle much later than planned, they didn't expect their friends to still be waiting for them––and they weren't.
They didn't cross paths with Johanna, either, as she stormed up to the castle to see why Roger had once again stood her up on their date.
Mark and Kate hadn't said much en route to the village, but now that they found themselves alone, at least until they found the others––which wouldn't be difficult––they found themselves struggling for words.
Why was it so hard starting up a conversation with Kate? Was it because she was a Hufflepuff? Was it because she and Mark weren't in the same year anymore? Or was it because she was girl?
It was probably because they were friends but not really. Mark wasn't sure what they were.
He cleared his throat and gestured down High Street. "Which way do you want to go?"
They'd gotten butterbeers at the pub, but it had been standing room only by the time of their arrival. Mark had sucked his dry in a matter of minutes. Kate still carried half a bottle around with her.
"Let's go in the direction of Honeydukes," she suggested.
They leisurely made their way in that direction, looking in the shoppe windows they passed and once again saying very little.
Mark tried again. "Thanks for what you did back there."
"I didn't really do anything," Kate replied.
"Sure you did," Mark countered. "You got Filch off my back with that lie you told."
Kate looked affronted. "I wasn't lying, Mark. Peeves really did make a mess down there. I think the smell is worse than the wreckage."
"Oh," Mark replied, disappointed for some reason. "Well, I guess thanks for having perfect timing then."
Kate cast a sidelong glance at him but didn't say anything else, not until she spotted Felicia and Gus emerging from the sweetshop. Felicia carried a single bag of candy, while Gus was positively loaded down.
The four went into a dozen shoppes after that. Conversation came easier with the others present, and it certainly helped that something had happened in the village. The news that a body had been found at the cliffs had spread like wildfire. Everybody was talking about it.
Eventually as the day wore on, the gang got hungry for some supper. They picked Burger Wizard because it didn't seem as crowded as The Imperial Crown & Cauldron. With the sun still blazing, they sat outside and watched the people passing by.
Why Do I Care?
Author: Declan
Date: 07-31-11 14:47
Settling into a lawn chair beside Mariposa, Declan comments on the yard, "You two have gotten a lot done since I was here last week."
"And here I think we've hardly gotten much done at all," Mariposa laughs. "When the Hogwarts term ends and mine at St. Emrys is over, we'll both have more time to devote to the long list we have for this place."
AJ hands Declan a lager then sits dowon on the other side of Mariposa. "Top of the list is to finish getting all my stuff out of that lfat I own. I wanted to keep my Hogwarts residence somewhat clutter free so never moved everything from the flat to there."
"If you own that flat, why did you decide to live at Hogwarts?"
"Didn't have much interest in apparating long distance five days a week and any weekends that required me to be at Hogwarts for something. It's really too small for more than one person so while we did cosider it as an option, ultimately we decided a bigger place was called."
"Going to sell it?"
"I had thought about it but it's not that far of a hop to Stratford-Upon-Avon plus I've had it on the Floo Network. Mariposa suggested renting it out to a St. Emrys student or staffer. We have someone wanting it for August 1st."
"I just remembered I've got a really great cheesy dip we could be snacking on." Mariposa puts her beer on the ground by her chair then pops up to go inside.
"We were thinking of cooking out tonight and inviting anyone on staff who wants to come."
"Sounds great but I've a date tonight."
"So bring her."
"Normally I'd say yes, but we are going to a dinner at her boss's."
"That's too bad. Who is she, by the way?"
"Vicky Gessler, an old friend who used to live across the street from us. She's recently divorced, not been in Britain long, but was expected to bring someone to this dinner party. I could hardly say no."
"Not serious then?"
"I've always thought of her more as another sister or a cousin."
AJ looks to see if Mariposa is coming then asks almost furtively, "Do you think Zabrynna still has feelings for you?"
"Sometimes. Why? Do you know something I should?"
"I don't know anything definite. It's just that I sense there's something Mariposa isn't saying. And there are looks Zabrynna gives you when she doesn't think anyone's watching. Combine those two things with her struggle to forgive herself when others have. I know she's not making as much progress in therapy as would be hoped after all this time of getting counseling."
"She gives me looks?"
"Yeah, and I don't mean I've got a crush on teacher, puppy dog eyes. I'm starting to think we all have had wrong whatever her feelings for you were. I'm thinking we were wrong to dismiss it as a crush that go out of hand."
"Might explain a lot about her being so hard on herself about it. Maybe I should try talking with her again."
"You think it would do any good?"
"I don't know. I don't even know why I care when I was the victim. Seeing it as something rash a teen did without thought because ha ha, love potions are really harmless afterall and are sold all over the place is easy to do. It's why in time I forgave her but that doesn't mean I have to care about her mental and emotional state now but I do."
"Here we are. Two kinds of dip with crisps and veggies. Even using magic to help with cutting up the vegetables, that took longer than I thought. Did AJ tell you about our cookout plans, Declan?"
"He did, but I can't make it tonight. This cheesy one is really good, Mariposa."
"Thanks, and too bad about tonight. I'd suggest a barbecue for next Saturday afternoon but I'd be the only one here while everyone else is off in France at the championship match."
AJ grins. "So very true except that you will be there too. You mentioned going early to get in some shopping. Saturday after that might be good though."
Declan nods, dipping another crisp into the cheesy dip. "That will be the weekend just before OWLs and NEWTs. Those of with with upper year students may be at maximum stress by that time as more students panic upon realization that the exams are about to get underway."
"Perfect time for an afternoon party then. What do you think, Mariposa."
"Sounds great to me. You'll spread the word at school?"
"Definitely."
"Me too," Declan tells her.
"My beer's almost gone. Anyone else want another?" AJ asks.
Mariposa shakes her head. "I'm good."
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind another," Declan says.
AJ goes back into the house for the beers. Left alone with Mariposa again, Declan thinks about the conversation he just had with AJ. "Mariposa, I don't want you to break any promises to your sister, but do you know for certain if she still has feelings for me?"
Last Hogsmeade Trip
Author: Griet
Date: 07-31-11 16:06
Griet, Oberon, Cornelia and Gervaise sat in the garden area at The Imperial Crown & Cauldron and had dinner. Soon, they would have to return to Hogwarts. For Griet, Oberon and Gervaise, this was their very last Hogsmeade trip as Hogwarts students. The day felt bittersweet.
"What do you think we would be doing now, if Happy Haven had never happened?" Griet suddenly asked.
Although it was never a pleasant subject, what had happened to all those deemed "nons" was still very much in the recent past and not easily ignored.
"University, maybe? Or work," Gervaise proposed.
"Definitely not the four of us here together," Oberon added.
If Happy Haven hadn't happened, the three older Slytherins would have graduated last year.
Cornelia poked at her salad. "I'd still be here," she said, but she didn't add what else she was thinking. That she and Gervaise probably wouldn't be have started dating. Hell, Griet and Oberon might not have gotten together, had it not been for Happy Haven.
Could some place so bad have led to something so good? It hardly seemed possible.
"You guys are all going to leave me," Cornelia murmured. "Maybe I should drop out."
"No, don't do that!" Gervaise replied passionately. "I want you do finish your education. It's just one year and it's not like we won't see each other still."
"Just not everyday."
Griet looked across the table at Oberon and then nodded her head toward the door. He gave her a single nod, and then both got up to give Cornelia and Gervaise some time alone.
The couple made their way to the loos, though neither really had to go. They stood in the little hallway by each door and talked.
"What do you suppose next year will be like?" Griet asked Oberon.
"Different," he replied, "but I think it will be good for us. Less restrictions and all that."
"And more responsibilities," Griet said.
Oberon shrugged, grinning.
"How long should we give them?" he asked her.
"A few more minutes."
They waited a little longer and then returned to their table, only to find that Cornelia and Gervaise had gone. The two sat down, baffled, and wondered if they'd just been left with the check.
Wrong Outcome
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 07-31-11 16:40
Since opening, Twice Told Tales had seen steady business. Staying occupied kept Lysander distracted from thinking about his confrontation with Kristos and from wondering when somebody would stumble upon his dead body.
Getting Kristos out of his hair didn't put him completely out of the woods, though. Lysander had no idea of knowing whether or not Kristos had talked to Aralyn or anybody else about his recovered memories, or if he'd recorded them somewhere. Since Kristos had been involved in a memory study at St. Mungo's, it stood to reason that the medical professionals involved might know something as well. Or not. Maybe Kristos had kept certain tidbits to himself.
Without knowing for sure, Lysander would worry––when he found the time.
But then the news he'd been hoping for had arrived with a different outcome. A group of students coming into the bookshop mentioned the discovery of a injured wizard on the rocks.
Upon hearing the word injured and not dead, Lysander couldn't help but panic. Julian, having overheard the same conversation, pressed a cup and saucer into Lysander's hands. Lysander drank, not knowing that Julian had poured him a cup of decaffeinated tea.
As soon as the group moved out of earshot and nobody else seemed to be around, Julian hissed, "Calm down. You don't know the extent of his injuries. He could still die at the hospital."
"I know, but what if he doesn't?" Lysander whispered.
"Then maybe he won't remember anything. Traumatic brain injury can do that to a person."
Lysander exhaled deeply. "He should have died."
Julian wasn't going to tell him that he should have just killed Kristos on the spot. It wouldn't do any good at this juncture. Instead, he said, "He may yet, and even if he doesn't, this may all work out to your advantage. All you can do now is wait."
Lysander didn't want to wait, because waiting was always the worst part of any stressful situation. He drank his tea, which did have a subtle calming effect, and tried to reimmerse himself in his work, but it wasn't easy.
Getting It All Out
Author: Kody
Date: 07-31-11 17:24
Passing by one of the clothing shoppes, Kody turns back to look at a top on display thinking that Kordelia might like it. Since her return a few years ago, Kody often buys his sister a little somethign here, a little something there, as if to make up for all the birthdays, Christmases, and other special events missed after she was kidnapped as a child, an incident that occurred before Kody was born. Inside the shoppe he locates the top on display and buys one in Kordelia's size though in a color that's even better suited to her than the one in the window. Outside again Kody slowly makes his way in the direction of The Leaky Cauldron, in no particular hurry as he has nowhere anytime soon and no plans for that evening despite this being a Saturday.
Seeing a familiar face coming out of one of the new establishments in Diagon Alley, Magical Match, Kody comes to a complete stop. Good thing too because Daria would have otherwise walked right into him as she cut across the lane to the other side of the street. Not having paid much attention to who she nearly collided with, Daria offers a politely automatic, "Sorry! Didn't see you."
"Guess it's a good thing I saw you then."
Daria had taken several steps by then but hearing his voice she stops, turns slowly as if hoping it's not who she thinks it is, then seeing it is Kody, looks slightly flustered. "Hello, Kody. I am sorry. I was a little distracted."
"Thinking about your Magical Match blind date?"
"Magical Match? Why would you think I know anything about that place?"
"Because I just saw you come from there."
"Oh. Well damn," she says though not with any vehemence. It's something more akin to embarrassment, which goes nicely with the heightened color of her cheeks.
"Why would you go to a dating service?"
"Why not? There's nothing wrong with it."
"Noooo, I didn't mean that there is. I just meant that you've always had guys interested in you."
"Never the right ones though."
"I know a lot of nice guys who have wanted to go out with you."
"Maybe at one time but they either are dating someone else or wouldn't go out with me because of being your friend and not wanting your sloppy seconds."
"Wow, what a way to refer to yourself, Daria. You are so much better than that. What about that chap you were meeting the other day?"
"Cillian? He's nice enough but there was just something lacking between us. We think we'd be better as just friends."
"But he is nice so look to the place where you met him and maybe there are other nice guys around."
Daria points to a spot past Kody. "There. I met him there. Not there specifically, but because of there, we met."
Kody looks over his shoulder, at first puzzled and then understanding. "He was a Magical Match setup."
"Yes, one of several, and the best of the lot."
"Maybe you are just being too picky."
"There is that but it's because of one thing in particular."
"Which is?"
"I compare everyone to you, Kody. There. Happy now to know that?"
Somewhat taken aback by this declaration Kody is at a loss of what to say. Daria takes a step closer, her voice wavering a little. "I was so stupid to ever break up with you when you graduated Hogwarts. Stupid and self centered and then when we were finally back together again though telling everyone we weren't, I was even worse, acting so stupid and childish. I miss you so much, Kody."
"I miss you too, Daria but ," suddenly aware of blocking part of the walkway and that they are making somewhat of a scene even though they are not being loud, Kody lets the sentence hang. "This isn't really the place for this."
"I don't want to put this on hold, not when I've been on hold pretty much since the day I came and apologized and told you I was seeing a therapist. Other than a thank you for the apology, you pretty much said nothing."
"I was a little in shock that day and since then you've avoided me."
"And you've avoided me."
Kody reaches out and takes Daria's arm and then starts walking, hoping she'll walk along beside him on her own steam so it doesn't appear to others that he's dragging her. Luckily, she does just that, wanting and waiting for him to respond. He waits until they've reached The Three Broomsticks and are ensconsed at at an out of the way table in a corner before he speaks again.
"I accepted your apology, yes, but you know why I haven't rushed back into wanting to be anything but friends at arm's length. I should have known back at Hogwarts that there might be problems."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You had that idea in your head that if you didn't sleep with me, I'd dump you. I told you time again that wasn't the case and I never once pressured you or even hinted that we were through if you didn't put out. I should have been firmer about it but at that age, when a guy's girlfriend is sneaking into his bed at night, being that clear headed isn't easy. Then you broke up with me, not because you wanted to date around a little as you'd said but mainly because you had the notion that with me at university I'd be sleeping around behind your back. We mend the friendship somewhat and then do the friends with benefits thing and you went insane. You were constantly accusing me of wanting to get back with Emma Crusher and I couldn't run into her on the street and be polite without you coming unhinged. Not to mention the meltdown you had the time you found out she'd been to my parent's getaway place. You imagined us having sex in every room even though I never slept with Emma. I repeatedly told you that and you didn't believe me. Why would I want back in a relationship where the other person is constantly insecurely paranoid that I'm thinking about other woman and having sex with any who give me a second glance?"
There. Everything that's been weighing him down all this time is out in the open now. Sure, he's said these things before but never all at once and never so bluntly.
Daria is so pale and silent Kody is expecting two things from here any second now. First the tears will start and then she'll get up and leave in a huff. He's not at all expecting her to look at him with watery eyes but without a single tear falling. He's also not expecting her to sigh and nod, "Yes, I have been horribly insecure. I still am but with the therapy it's so much better. It was the insecurity that drove the jealous, blind rages. But, again, I am so much better. I've even become friends of a sort with Emma."
"You have?"
"Yes. We had lunch together just the other day and I didn't once attempt to scratch her eyes out or tear all the hair from her head."
They both smile at Daria's attempt at levity.
Daria clasps one of Kody's hand in hers. "I know I'm seriously flawed, Kody, but I'm working on it. I love you. I think I've always loved you. Give me another chance, please?"
Kody isn't ready to say those three little words back to her though he's thought them and is thinking them now. That doesn't make this any easier though, not with the ghost of crazy Daria possibly lurking in the shadows waiting to emerge again.
Five minutes pass with him deep in thought, then ten. Daria waits him out, never making even the smallest sound to indicate impatience. Around the fifteen minute mark he says, "One chance but if you go barmy again, I'll break it off and talk to your parents about having you committed for observation."
"I can live with that."
"So, busy for dinner tonight?"