Absit Omen RPG
Role-Play Boards => Diagon Alley => London => Calaveras => Topic started by: Lochlainn O’Keeffe on November 02, 2019, 10:52:17 AM
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As usual, Loch had some firewhiskey. He had a disturbingly high drinking budget for when he went out, even with his small potion operation. Most was admittedly leftover money from France, he was surprised he hadn't burnt through it all but he never really remembered how much he spent each night. But that mattered not, soon his fortunes would change and he would have far more money then he would know what to do with. If this worked out, of course it would, why wouldn't it?
But firstly on his list, was the last information gathering. He would assume due to the last full moon, the Ministry would start doing drills and overnights. It was only two weeks until the next full moon and after how bad the last was, they must be doing overtime as soon as possible. Not to mention they're just letting the murderer of two werewolves and Alec Carter wander free in the meantime.
He needed to find out how much heat he would get on himself from advertising, this was key. He assumed very little, the full moon was a black eye and the Ministry couldn't afford another slip up. But there may still be some people on watch and could go straight after him when he made his move. As such, who better to ask then the Auror he was friendly with? Plus it worked nicely as just hanging out.
He had listed in his letter that she can bring others, although with a high number of people it meant he may be restricted in what he can do, but it may also mean she will be open to getting drunk and then he can work his way on getting information, or she just may feel confident as so many are around. Plus meeting new people was always good, for business and for just not being a shut in. He wasn't much of one but distractions from potions was good, a watched pot never boils. Which in cases is a good thing he doesn't want some boiling over.
Of course she may not show up, especially since it was on such short notice, however if she didn't then hey. Calaveras serves steak. He did not remember Hogwarts ever serving steak. So it was a massive step up in wizarding world food.
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Fauna had been surprised but happy to hear from Lochlainn. She'd wondered from time to time how he was settling in, though with the madness of the wolf moon and its gory aftermath, she hadn't realized it had been a few weeks since she'd seen him.[1]
She must have read his letter dozens of times as she'd rushed about getting ready.[2] A steak dinner! But bring friends! She may have suggested something more casual, but at 5:00 in the afternoon, she settled for owling invitations to two of her favorite people, Tia and Fig, hoping that at least one of them would be able to make it on such short notice. She'd told them that they could show up at 6:00 or later in the night if they liked, and that she was meeting a new friend.
Inspired by last night's adventure with makeup (thanks, Virgil!), Fauna had dolled up her eyes first. Otherwise it had taken her far too long to decide what to wear to a nicer restaurant. She didn't want to put forth too much of an effort as she worried that Loch would think it was a date (he didn't, did he?), but if Tia could make it, she really wanted to look pretty for her, and if Fig were there she'd need shoes to walk in or dance in or tipsily stagger in, and so in the end she'd slung on some low heels and what she thought might look good.
Fauna apparated to Diagon, finding Calaveras at the very end of the street next to Knockturn. She stepped into the 1930s-inspired club, wearing a white blouse with ruffled short sleeves, and a dark navy skirt, both of which draped nicely. She'd put her hair up in a loose, Grecian bun. Around her neck she wore a heart necklace (https://www.etsy.com/listing/260759850/anatomical-heart-necklace?show_sold_out_detail=1) - anatomically correct in black and gold.
The speakeasy style reminded her of a grown-up Spellpunk, and if she'd looked closely at the sign she might have noticed that Meredith Renfield owned both clubs.
Passing the bar, she weaved around the round dining tables on the edge of the dance hall.
Fauna found Lochlainn at one the tables, a glass of firewhiskey next to him. Of course!
"Loch," she touched his shoulder. "Hi!"
She opened her arms to give him a light and airy hug.
Fauna glanced around, still standing for a moment. There were several chairs at the table, and several place settings. Black, tapered candles flickered light over the white tablecloth and gleaming sets of silverware.
Clearing her throat nervously, she smiled.
"Er, I sent an owl to a few friends, but I don't know if they'll be able to make it. I only got home about an hour ago."
Fauna took the seat beside him and draped her coat on the back of the chair. "Hey, thanks for the invite."
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She did appear! That was very good for him! It always looked less weird when you weren't sat in a dingy restaurant eating steak with someone else. So for that it was also a good thing, and meant he can go ahead with his plan. And to have a nice relaxed night otherwise, well the heels looked like she expected to dance, something he wasn't good at so he may have to stay out of it, he didn't really want to accidentally break anyone's bones.
"Fauna!" He said with a grin, he turned to face her. She wanted a hug? He wasn't too used to hugs as greetings so he hoped it didn't turn out too bad. After he stood from his seat he wrapped his arms arms around her back, while making sure there's more then enough space for her to duck out of it then let go a second or two later. Then seeing her work her own chair he sat back down while glancing over what she was wearing.
"That's fine, if they show up I can buy them drinks or if arrive early enough, free meal for them." He shot a small smile. He was happy to do something good, even if it wasn't that good buying meals for people who worked, it was better then just being completely selfish with his money. It helped to counter his shady potions and those done in France. It absolutely did not on a karma scale but it was always good to think you can do something good.
"I must say you're better dressed then me, either you love dressing up in less then an hour. Or one of the invited is someone you want to impress?" He attempted to tease her as he sipped his drink. He himself dressing smart, although much more comfort and casual. A good pair of black trousers on him with some worn in black shoes, not shiny but not dirty. A somewhat wrinkled salmon pink shirt. Then to top it off a woolen trench coat stopping at his hips, again in black to fit the outfit theme more or less.
At the last thing he shook his head and finished his drink, giving it a little shake. "Ah its fine its fine. I know Ministry has had a tough time this month. With things kicking back in now figured better to catch up beforehand and make sure you atleast eat something decent. What drink do you want?" He offered as he glanced at the bar.
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Loch hugged her back, and offered to treat her friends whenever they arrived. She smiled more warmly, a slight wrinkle of confusion forming between her brows. The last they'd spoken, he'd explained how he'd lost his money in Paris and was starting over in London trying to start up a new business. Fauna wished him well and hoped he didn't feel pressured to spend more than he had.
Her eyebrows spiked in surprise at his very accurate observation. "Oh," she touched her hair self-consciously. "I'm, er, that obvious?"
She chuckled under her breath and shook her head. Still, she did feel reassured that he had guessed the reason for all of her effort.
When he acknowledged how tough it had been at the Ministry this month and let her know that he wanted to do something nice, she smiled again and glanced at the menu.
"I think I'll try the El Guapo."
She looked over the ingredients - prickly pear syrup, tequila, lime, ginger beer. Couldn't go wrong.
"Just know that I can't, in good conscience, let you pay for everything," she looked up from the menu hopefully. "Really. I'm just happy to be here and catch up," she insisted with a nod, holding his gaze so he would know she meant it.
As if on cue, a waiter stopped by their table to take their drink orders.
Fauna glanced over the rest of the menu, automatically drawn to the simpler entrees and something that wouldn't be messy to eat.
"Back to your comment from earlier, I invited my friend Fig, who I've known for the longest time. Fig Sellaphix, do you remember him? He was a Hufflepuff too."
Once a Hufflepuff, always a Hufflepuff. Fig was a few years younger than her and might have been under Lochlainn's radar during school.
"Also," she hesitated, her face flushing. "I invited Tia. She's the one I mentioned who works on Level Four sometimes? I hope one or both of them can make it. They're good people."
Her favorite people. "Though I'm sure you have met plenty already," she added kindly, gesturing to him. He cleaned up just fine! Wrinkles in shirts popped up out of nowhere, she knew.
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Loch settled back into his chair properly as the waiter arrived and nodded. "Bottle of nettle wine for me." He said gently before he looked back at her. "Never tried it before, should be interesting." With a flash of smile. Always good to try new drinks, plus a bottle means better for sharing or for pricing the night, Whiskey wasn't cheap.
"If you can't let me pay for it all, pay for your friends drinks then or for the drinks in general." He offered, although he found himself perfectly fine to buy things. "I got a potions job. So I can afford."
He started to scan the options on the menu also, fish he usually preferred to stay away from so that's a no go. Mushrooms? He was a fun guy without them. Potatoes? The garlic bread seemed interesting. Can never go wrong with it can you? Unless they burn it, but then its just crunchier.
Fig? He may remember someone like that but not very well. He didn't socialize much outside his group so he only knew people from around his year, even then mostly didn't like him. He was perfectly nice! They just couldn't take that they were never going to amount to anything and should give up on their quest to do anything meaningful, they were such idiots.
Sellaphix he knew though, they were on the corner to Knocturne, the potentially a problem family, he doubted they would be. Some old people selling potions in a corner, why would they care and what are they going to do honestly? And if they did prove themselves troublesome, just one strand of hair...
And Tia the level 4, sounded interesting, he wasn't sure on who Fauna kept as friends but if they're as lively as his interactions with her has been then they should be fun.
"I've met a few people, although honestly I've spent most of the time working." If drinking counted as work, it was work to drink that much though. "I met another Hufflepuff a bit ago. Remember someone called Tessa Fennekin?" He didn't think it would be good to mention that he tried, poorly. Very poorly. To hit on her.
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"I will," Fauna nodded, making a mental note to help pay for the drinks. Fauna smiled a little. She hadn't had nettle wine before either, nor the martini she'd ordered, but she liked to try new drinks whenever she had the opportunity.
The bowtie pasta looked good to Fauna. She shut the menu and glanced up in surprise. Tessa!
"Yes! I know Fenneken. Er, Tessa," Fauna corrected herself, perking up. Hufflepuffs reunited!
"She was in your year, right? Um, I'm just getting to know her lately. We've been on patrol together once or twice."
She paused. Once that fateful December. She'd felt a little closer to Fenneken and Harris since then, trading nerdy banter with Harris in the lifts and listening to Fenneken's vampire theories.
"It must have been good to see her after a few years," she added, thinking that they'd both become more confident. "It's funny how we've all changed since school, isn't it?"
Fauna glanced around thoughtfully at the tables full of unfamiliar faces, and at the dance hall where a musician was setting up. She never would have guessed that Fenneken or Harris would have ended up on the Capture Unit, and she'd surprised many by becoming an Auror. Lochlainn too, had seemed to disappear after Hogwarts, only to return with the work ethic that Hufflepuffs were known for.
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"She seemed to be doing okay, which was good, although it was on the tenth so I'm not holding anything against her."
It was odd that both of the Hufflepuffs he was now reunited with were female, admittedly it was an equal 50/50 chance but conspiracies are always fun to indulge in. One of his favorite that he had never heard anyone say but just imagined store owners having, entirely caused by him. Was the influx of french people asking for wolfsbane ingredients. Someone must of thought there was a secret ring of french werewolves lurking about somewhere.
The main meal, an important choice. A semi easy choice for him. It was obviously going to be steak. Hogwarts never served steak as far as he remembered, but at the same time he feels like the poor Elves would of been worked overtime desperately trying to get everyones to their tastes as some people won't touch theirs if its medium rare or super rare, or well done. It was probably a blessing the Elves never had to do that. They were too nice for that sort of punishment, the nights he snuck out of the common room to get some snacks. At the same time though he felt like every Hufflepuff had done so at some point, could you really be a Hufflepuff without going to the kitchens right next door at some point?
"So, now that all that is out of the way. How has the month treated you? Didn't break your leg on the dancefloor while drunk or anything?" He gave a grin, last he'd really seen of her was going onto the dancefloor with her work friends and with the common phrase being break a leg, he had to make sure. Dancing was probably more dangerous then being an Auror at times.
Admittedly dancers didn't usually have to deal with criminals or dark wizards. some may of, but it wasn't a regular occurrence. How many dark wizards were left though is another question, most were gone now since You Know Who was beaten, he supposed some may of even became dancers. Which likely would put them as more dangerous then an Auror.
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The waiter returned to their table, bearing a bright pink El Guapo cocktail and a bottle of nettle wine. Fauna waited a few moments as the waiter uncorked the bottle and poured a glass for Loch, and left an empty wine glass for her. Loch ordered steak (no surprise!) and Fauna ordered the bowtie mushroom pasta, and as soon as the waiter left, Fauna answered Lochlainn's teasing question.
"Um," she smiled cheekily. "My dancing was fantastic. Epic. Anyone will tell you. Don't ask them, just believe me," she quickly added, widening her eyes.
He was one to talk! His favorite move was sitting and chugging firewhiskey.
Fauna had heard the rest of his question, but didn't want to bore him with the details just yet. If Lochlainn had caught up with Tessa on the 10th, then she'd likely told him about Carter's murder, at least. Losing a department head was never easy, but full moon action had been sparse this month. Instead they were all cleaning up the gory aftermath. Trying to make sense of the senseless.
"Cheers," she lifted her bright pink drink to clink against his wine glass.
"Oh, and congratulations," she paused with the drink near her mouth. "On your new potions job?" Fauna guessed shyly.
Had she heard him right earlier? He'd found a job, so he could afford to go out for a nice dinner.
Fauna took a sip of her drink. Mm, tequila.
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Lochlainn returned a doubtful smirk on the comments of her dancing, he was surprised she didn't hug the floor upon standing up let alone managed to dance. "I'm sure your drunken stumbling was the envy of the room." He teased her before setting back to allow the Waiter to serve the bottle. Of course he didn't have much of a leg to stand on when it came to dancing. His favorite move was sitting and chugging firewhiskey.
"Cheers." He clinked his glass to hers and sipped the wine. "Hhhm, this certainly is...a drink." He said, it wasn't grape juice that had gone off, so that was something but he really couldn't say much more about the drink as he drank it. For certain, it was a sipping drink. That was all he could really say about it. He did however seem more sophisticated with it however, so he held the glass by the stem and swirled it a bit to appear more intelligent.
Ah yes his potions job, the tricky part to describe to her, how could he explain it? "Yeah, helping brew some potions. Its going well so far." He smiled. "Made some good money, expecting some good things soon." He said with a cheerful sip of his wine, none of it was a lie, just a slight...alteration of the truth, what she doesn't know can't hurt her. If anything, if it goes wrong for her, it will help her that he didn't tell her the entire truth.
"Its good to be brewing again, its fun to make potions. Its unlimited potential, anything spells can do, potions can do better. It just takes time and patience." Now this was completely true, although they were harder then alot of spells. Ultimately they were better...if you didn't need something right away. With another sip of the nettle wine he looked down at the table. He took the napkin and started folding it.
"Sorry, potions are very good but a spell will likely be sufficient yes. Hey if you ever need some though just owl. I can whip you up something. Just give like...two weeks notice?" He joked.
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Did he just swirl his wine in the glass? Fauna glanced down quickly at the table cloth, trying not to laugh.
She raised her eyebrows, listening. He seemed a touch nervous and uncomfortable talking about himself. One moment he focused on how potions could do anything that spells could do, and the next moment he was fiddling with his napkin and admitting that spells did the job just fine.
Fauna smiled and sipped more of her drink, trying to put him at ease.
"Um, well, I hope I don't run into any immediate trouble," she teased back with some hesitance. "Or I'll have to rely on, you know, magic."
Fauna's smile widened genuinely. Magic! She had magic again, and it was wonderful. Lochlainn had a job that he liked! That was cause for celebration too.
But where? Had he said?
"Where do you work?" She tilted her head. "I'll bring you a coffee sometime."
That's what Hufflepuffs did in dire times.
"I mean, it'll be a nice break from this interesting month."
Fauna used the same term he'd used to describe his wine.
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Ah where did he work? It probably wouldn't be good to admit he's illegally selling potions to the few people that pop into his shop, some were obviously annoyed with the pricing or the work hours. But if they valued discretion it was better, don't want everyone to know the 120 year old wizard needs a girding potion for when he gets home at night. Even selling a bit of polyjuice but he kept that even quieter, he had a good amount and always had some brewing. However he wanted to keep a good amount as insurance policy and an escape plan.
So he certainly couldn't tell her about his illegal shop. So he needed to take some creative liberties. He sipped some more wine then nodded. "Its just some run down place in Knocturne, I really wouldn't recommend it. I'm only staying for a bit before moving on to bigger and better things." Ok so that was mostly true, just...missing some details. It will have to do, lies are always better and more believable if there is some truth in it.
He finished work on his napkin, having folded it into a swan. Then with a gentle flick of his wand he animated it. "Just meeting for drinks or maybe during breaks would be better, Knocturns a bit of a horrid place." Another truth, although there was some interesting stuff inside the the alley, it always striked him as odd that its the one place you can buy flesh eating slug repellent.
With another gentle wand movement he offered the now moving swan to Fauna. "Try giving it to Tia. Or do Level 4 have rules against creating fake animals?" He tried to joke, he'd heard there are some rivalries between the Aurors and Animal Lovers. And things must be fairly heated considering the murder of Level 4's head. Technically not in their boundary but he was one of their own.
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"Oh, ok," Fauna's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly took a sip of her drink, her face adopting a neutral expression. She doubted he'd appreciate her worry when he was just trying to make a living, but still, her brow furrowed slightly for a moment.
If Lochlainn had found work in Knockturn, no wonder he'd been a bit vague and hesitant about mentioning it before. She hoped he'd found a shop that wouldn't take advantage of someone new to town. He knew he could come to her with any trouble, right?
Fauna sipped at her drink to avoid mentioning it too soon. She'd try to keep an eye out for him. He'd found work, at least! It was a start.
Loch was making a napkin swan. Was that for her? She smiled nervously as he floated it over to her.
At the mention of Tia's name she glanced hopefully around the dining hall, then looked back at Loch. Oh. Fauna blinked at his phrasing.
"No, but Level Two might. Er, possibly." There was a story behind that.
"Are you offering to be my wing... wix? Wingwix?" Fauna joked, letting out a chuckle at the strange term. She'd offered to be his 'wingwitch' last time and to help find him dates. She had not done that yet!
"If so, thank you. I need all the help I can get."
Fauna added another charm to the animated swan, one that turned its head to look around the restaurant just like she had a second ago. She smiled in amusement at Loch, her eyes crinkling warmly. It was always nice to get to know someone tolerant and accepting and kind, and his invitation made more sense to her now. He had simply invited her here as a generous gesture and in hopes of making more friends.
She started to tell Loch about the rivalries between Two and Four, but changed the topic before it could get too serious, still very cognizant of Alec Carter's death and her involvement with the vision that had predicted it. She told him of a few adventures in Knockturn too, but downplayed the seriousness there as well. No need to make him uncomfortable about where he worked.
Their dinner arrived. Fauna ate every bite of her pasta, finished her drink, and helped Loch with the bottle of nettle wine he'd ordered. Fauna, such a helpful Hufflepuff! She helped pay for the meal and drinks of course, and then she and Loch decided to move to the bar.
It was still early evening. They easily found a few empty seats, and Fauna set her napkin-swan on the counter next to her glass of wine.
"Level Two has a rule that we don't follow," Fauna began, remembering his comment from earlier. She reminded him in a more serious tone that a group of students had been kidnapped last February, trapped on Level Nine, and when they'd gotten out, well... a Hufflepuff (always a Hufflepuff) had flung a hex at the first person they'd run into. Solomon Carstairs. There he was in his office, sipping his tea (she assumed), and the next moment he was a duck, feathers flapping, wand on the floor, teacup overturned. Every once in a while the Auror trainees (and Abby) left a rubber duck where he would find it. Every once in a while they made duck jokes on purpose.
"...And that is the story of how my boss turned into a duck."[1]
Fauna laughed into her wine glass, her cheeks a telltale pink from wine.
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The last time Figaro had been to the edgy and upscale Calaveras in Diagon Alley was in November. A bit of blood and excitement prevented he and his one-time date Hannah Bombay from getting even as far as ordering. An owl from Fauna to come join her with other friends was welcome, like things were back to nearly normal. She said she'd met someone new and wanted to make them feel welcome, but the pretense didn't matter. He was back at work, back at his own place, back to getting on with it.
He rolled in dressed more casually than last time. Hands in the pockets of an unseasonable coat, a hat, grey trousers, football trainers, an old shirt from work.[1] The host greeted him at the podium with a look of disapproval for his attire, but he sidestepped her.
"I'm meeting someone, thanks."
He spotted Fauna at the bar with a model. Fit under a pink shirt, square jaw, well-kept stubble, and he looked older. Could have been a Quidditch player - not the sort he expected to see with Fauna Blake at all. Figaro approached with a smile and opened his arms.
"Hey, hey! I made it. Sorry, I'm late, I was sleeping."
Figaro hugged Fauna then stepped back to offer the guy a hand. "Alright? I'm Figaro."
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"Wait, he got turned into a duck...and you don't constantly remind him? If I was around I'd take almost every chance, if he's in a meeting and he stands up, just summon an egg onto his seat. How are you not exploiting this? You must be quackers." He shook his head and sighed, it was an interesting story. What mysteries were in level 9? Probably a hangover cure, that would be excellent and obviously something hidden.
The wine had gone surprisingly well, it was much better then he thought nettle wine would be thats for sure. For a start it didn't sting like most nettles. So he didn't need dockleaf wine to counter it. Although he knew sadly that dockleaves healing nettles was a lie, the sap just helped soothe the area. But who knew you could make wine from leaves? Leaf juice tasted good! So he went and placed an order for another bottle. If they didn't finish it, then who will stop him from taking it home?
He was going to pour another glass out for the last of the bottle when a man in a red shirt appeared. Figaro?...Figaro...fig...Oh yeah one of the ones Fauna invited! A Sellaphix! He wasn't sure what to expect from those living on the edge of Knocturn and Diagon, but he expected those working in an apothecary to dress a little better. Where was the mans fashion sense? Although if he'd only just woken up it can be excused.
He grinned and shook the hand firmly, staring into the persons eyes for a few seconds. "Lochlainn. Good to meet you." He let go and took a fresh wine glass, before pouring out some nettle wine into it. "Want some nettle wine? Its surprisingly good." He offered the glass towards them. "Oh and feel free to take a seat! We've been talking about Ducks. They're Ruddy amazing."
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Tia had been surprised when she returned from a talk to find an owl from Fauna.
It was a Sunday evening and her weekends, although relaxing, did sometimes bring the former Ravenclaw back to her workplace for various events. The Wizarding Museum was at its busiest when families could afford the time to bring their children around and stare at various wonders or artefacts; and today she'd gone to attend a colleague's public talk on underwater archeological exploration; an oddly packed lecture hall.
After having some leftover broccoli stir fry from last night, she threw a coat (https://urstyle.com/styles/2327765) over her day outfit and went down to Calaveras to see about this new person Fauna was meeting. Why not, right? Meeting new people was fun.
Finding the sexy auror at the restaurant was easy - at this hour, Tia went straight to the bar and was able to spot the other witch right away. There was a tall guy next to her, talking to a young-- oh. Talking to the attendant from the safehouse. What was his name? Fergus? Fig? Figaro. Like, the The Marriage of Figaro. How did Fauna know him??
"Want some nettle wine? Its surprisingly good...free to take a seat...talking about Ducks.. amazing." The other man was saying when Adrestia approached the trio.
"Ducks! Why are we talking about ducks?" she interrupted the conversation cheerfully, slipping between Fig and the duck man to give Fauna a quick hug and kiss. "Hey, looking cute. I love that necklace," Tia brushed her fingers against it before taking a seat on Fauna's other side before someone decided to invite her to take one.
Boys! Adrestia glanced from one to the other, lifting her hand in a little wave. "Hi, I'm Tia..." she settled on looking at Figaro. "We've... kind of met. Earlier this month."
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Fauna couldn't help but laugh at Loch's ridiculous puns; she was tipsy and quackers. Fig's arrival cheered her too. She got up from her seat to hug him, noticing his scarab shirt. He looked casual and acted casual and she wondered with some amazement how he could be so carefree. Had she tried too hard, dressing up? Possibly yes.
Then Tia arrived, and Fauna straightened in her seat. No, she hadn't tried too hard! It was worth it! She looked so pretty!
"Uh, right, same," she stammered in response to Tia's compliment, it was all she could really say, though it wasn't the same at all, because Tia looked super pretty and had probably just come from some sophisticated gallery lecture or museum event.
She gave Tia a kiss on the cheek and an affectionate hug, a silly smile inching up her face as she followed Tia's glance to Fig and Lochlainn. Everything was wonderful! It was a happy night, a happy group. She fiddled with her necklace, and belatedly replied to her question.
"I was telling the story of how my boss - well, my boss's boss, Carstairs, got turned into a duck last year. Valentine's Day."
Faun was very sure Level Four still made jokes about it.
"Fig, you may have met Lochlainn already too. He was in Tessa's year, I think. Hufflepuff," she said as a stamp of approval. Former Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff alumn, once Hufflepuff always a Hufflepuff.
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If Lochlainn had been in Hufflepuff, he must have changed enough or had enough self respect to avoid young Figaro who was gratingly obnoxious in those days. Not anymore of course, he was grown and mature, and what?
Figaro's jaw dropped in unveiled delight at the little affections between Fauna and Tia as she introduced herself. He looked back and forth between them which was easy because they were standing close together. His delight shifted to that look when you've seen something adorable. This was Fauna's girlfriend Tia! She'd told him about her ages ago.[1] It hadn't stopped her from tying to set her up in Spellpunk that one time.
"Oh my god," he practically sang in the softest voice. Remembering he should be cool about it, he stood back and crossed his arms, but still grinning like an idiot. He was happy for Fauna.
But something Tia had said, that they'd met. Had she been at the News Years Eve party?
"Were you at Bevans's party. Not my greatest night," he said. It wasn't the greatest feeling when someone remembered you but it wasn't mutual. And worse when it might not be for something stupid.
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Ah! Another person arrived! And it was the one Fauna wanted, this was good! It makes Fauna happy and more likely to slip juicy details. And it means more drinks to order. Steak was sort of off the menu now but liquid dinner is always a good alternative if you don't mind being hungry and always seeing double. Which wasn't as good a power as some people may believe it is.
Now the gang was all here, all they needed was a dog and a magical van. He'd definitely be Fred, he had the brawn and the pretty dapper fashion sense if he dared say so himself. Figaro looked like Shaggy if his hair would grow out more. Even had the same sort of clothing on. That leaves the other two. He wasn't sure which way around Fauna and the self named Tia would be. Both were stylish but Tia was wearing a more nerdy outfit, and Fauna was working for the Aurors so that puts her closer to Velma.
But atleast he did know what to do for Scooby Snacks.
He slid a few Knuts across the bar and ordered a bag of pretzels or whatever magical bars have if they had any, he doubted pork scratchings. Dragon scratchings? Dragon balls? He heard it was a delicacy and served at Hogwarts some points. He'd need to see about the ethicalness of them, although he couldn't Imagine Dragons tasted good.
It seemed atleast like the other two may not know eachother well so if he can't get anything off Fauna then he can get to know Fig maybe, probably useful to get information on the friendly 'competition'.
"What drink orders do you guys want?" He asked as placed money on the bar.
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The safehouse attendant looked... weirdly happy to see her. Like, weird weird. "Were you at Bevans's party. Not my greatest night," he conjectured wrongly.
The other guy was pretty normal though, and rolled with the night by asking if they all wanted some drinks. Adrestia definitely needed something to drink after an afternoon of listening to someone drone on about whether it was better to use bubblehead charms or chew on some gillyweed if you were going to be exploring underwater cities.
"Wine, red, anything from the last decade," she smiled thanks at him before glancing back at Figaro and unthinkingly slipping an arm over Fauna's shoulders. "You were one of the attendants, right? From the last full moon?"
Her voice was light, in spite of the subject. It had only been... what? Almost two weeks now? Almost two weeks since she had woken up in a safehouse from which two other werewolves were kidnapped and then murdered. Skinned. But it got easier with each day, to forget the little voice that said it could have been you.
It could have been. But it wasn't - she was here, instead, well and alive and meeting new people and ordering good red wine on a Sunday night. "I think I met your doppelgänger," Tia clarified for the younger wizard. "You're much nicer, as far as first impressions go."
-
Fauna grinned back at Fig. Ha, yes, she knew! This was her! Adrestia! Tia! Tia Gamp! The reason why she'd been smiling since August, the reason why she'd dressed up tonight, the reason why she hadn't, in fact, gone out for coffee with Trivia!Stephanie even though Fauna had been very flattered to get her number.
"Oh my god," she echoed him in a sing-song, leaning in a little closer to Tia as her arm slipped around her shoulders. How nice! Wasn't this nice! Wasn't this-
"Oh my god," she repeated with a faint twinge of dismay, processing Tia's words. Fig had been one of the attendants during the last full moon. Tia had met his doppelgänger.
"Oh," Fauna's smile faded, glancing between them. Why hadn't she thought about that when she'd sent out the invites? Shit!
Though Tia's tone was light, and Fauna could always count on Fig to be friendly, Fauna reached up and gave Tia's hand a gentle squeeze, interlacing their fingers loosely by her shoulder.
She looked at Loch. Had she told him anything about the events of the January full moon the first time they'd met? Probably not. No, they'd met before the full moon. Her look turned a bit apologetic, feeling like it wasn't really her place to explain while Tia and Fig were figuring it out.
"Er, I'll have whatever you're getting," she nodded at Loch. Lame, but she was distracted!
-
Lochlainn was offering to buy the first round and Figaro didn't complain. He uttered the name of a new lager he'd heard of[1] and nodded a thanks. Not many better ways to make friends than to be the one to lay down some gold. That, and he was Fauna's friend, so Loch had a few points in his favor.
Unfortunately, it wasn't Nick's party where Tia had met Figaro. 'One of the attendants.' She meant one of two, not one of dozens that were on duty that night in Scotland. Figaro's mouth went dry as the dots quickly connected. He struggled to maintain a causal expression to match Tia's.
Figaro scoffed a laugh and scratched the back of his neck. He was nicer than a murder.
"That's what I'm best known for."
He spared a look at Lochlainn, not really keen to have this news spread around. So far, Figaro and his fellow attendant Kim Ji-Won's names hadn't shown up in the Daily Prophet. He wasn't sure why. Either way, something about people knowing made Figaro feel exposed, so he wasn't sure why Tia would bring it up in front of new people.
Shit, Fauna. No help there.
"Nah, nix that," Fig lifted his voice and adjusted his order. "Tequila. Four."
-
Ah, this had become a bit of an awkward situation, so Tia was a werewolf, or atleast involved in the safehouse. He knew that much atleast, and as much as he wanted to get information from Fauna, it wouldn't be good if everyone was depressed, its not good to drink while upset and certainly he still wanted everyone to have a good time. More alcohol was probably good here then less, he had money to burn why not? Just make everyone else pay for rounds after however and all will be good.
As such, he figured why not splash out, that new drink Figaro had heard of? Sure why not, the tequila? They would be very required he figured so yes those aswell. His drink? He was liking wine so far, and this type sounded interesting, bottle of Berry Ocky rot. (https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Berry_Ocky_Rot) He can share that with Fauna, and maybe Tia, but just to be sure incase she didn't like it, a bottle of red like she asked for, one from the previous decade for her. Everyone is going to get plastered tonight it seems. But its better then drinking alone.
He put a bit more money down on the bar to make sure the amount was covered, with a bit extra for an early apology tip, it may be a long night and they may get very drunk. With this order alone he probably paid the bartenders nightly wage with the tip. Wine was never cheap.
He glanced between the three, keeping his mouth quiet for now, he didn't want to interfere with this, not because he wanted to listen to the drama of people he didn't know about, its a good past time to do so, especially on trains or the Knight Bus.
But the reason he wasn't to interfere, he didn't really know them yet, sure they seemed friendly, but Fauna knew them both better and would be the better one to mediate the conversation, and to make sure neither of them got especially angry or annoyed at the situation, Tia caught Figaro off foot here, so he could get upset and was just the friend here, so if anyone was in a position to get angry and walk off, it would be him, as Tia and Fauna have eachother.
Atleast this was to his excellent social deduction.
-
Oh, Merlin, did she put her foot in her mouth? Figaro's awkward laugh made her anxious - but then Fauna's hand grazed her's, and their fingers interlocked. That felt good, better. She glanced at the other witch for just a second to flash her a soft smile; just as a way of saying that it was alright, this was fine. No big deal. The words had just kind of come out without any real intention.
Anyway, Lochlainn was ordering drinks and Tequila was on its way, which seemed a recipe for a very different night from the one she expected.
"So," Adrestia gestured with her free hand, "all three of you Hufflepuffs, huh?" she grinned in good humour. "And me the lone Ravenclaw, outnumbered. I always used to think you guys had way more fun down in the dungeons with the kitchens and Slytherins. All we had were golden hearted Gryffindors... well, and the Room of Requirement."
Those were good days, and not just because it was before she was bitten. Everything seemed so serious back then - homework and school drama and gossip - but their worries had been limited. She worried about exams, yeah, but also about what to wear to secret parties and whether or not the girls she crushed on liked her back or if they were straight.
Tia glanced at Fauna, a warm feeling in her chest at that thought. It was really nice knowing someone liked you back.
-
Will you look at that? Tia had skillfully changed subjects and all became right with the world again without Fauna meddling or mediating. She looked at Fig, her eyebrows raised slightly, her expression open and happily serene. It would be alright.
"Slytherins, Tia?" Fauna chuckled and wrinkled her nose. Not more fun at all! She was still a little biased against them. Virgil was decent, or he had been just last evening. He'd been really nice to her, listening to her and letting her borrow his fashionable clothes and offering lots of compliments. OK, maybe Slytherins weren't so bad. She returned Tia's warm look with a soppy smile, choosing not to tell her that Gryffindors were hardly goody two shoes. Raine was lovely! She could be! But Fig certainly wouldn't agree.
"It's hard to beat the room of requirement, though I only used it for fluffy, happy Hufflepuff gatherings. I threw a surprise sleepover party in there once," Fauna mused, glancing curiously at Fig and Loch. One of them might have a good story to tell.
"Mm, tequila," Fauna said aloud when the glasses arrived.
She took one, and arranged the napkin-swan that Loch had made around the glass, and slid it over on the counter to Tia.
"A swan for the lone Ravenclaw?" Fauna presented shyly, then amended her statement. "Well, not lone. I mean, not alone. I mean, among friends. Not friends," Fauna blushed. "I mean, friends and me."
She turned in her seat and let out a giggle into Tia's shoulder. Smooth!
-
Figaro got a reassuring look from Fauna and it seemed to be supported by reality. Tia had slid on to a new topic as if she hadn't just been talking about a series of recent events where he'd been roughed up and other people had been kidnapped. He wouldn't call the change of subject smooth, but he would call it welcome. And there stood Loch who didn't seem flapped at all, just happy, it seemed, to be facilitating a party.
Figaro realized he was the youngest in the group by a few years, but it didn't bother him.
"Yeah, Hufflepuff, just finished last summer."
"There was that party during the Tournament,"[1] Figaro said, snapping his fingers. "That was a, erm, Logorrhea event. So naturally there was a fight about Nazis. Can't remember how we got there. Come to think of it, the other one had Logorrhea as well..."[2]
What did that say about Figaro?
-
Things were improving, Tia had changed the subject that Figaro seemed completely fine with swapping to, even if it was about...he wasn't drunk enough for that. Maybe he could tackle something like the IRA but.. This is why you don't drink Logorrhea. If anything you drink Polyjuice as part of a fun night, everyone becomes someone else and you see what sort of things you can get up to. Fake truth potion is a bad idea, worse then spin the bottle on Christmas with your family.
Wait, he said last summer? How young was he? He had never felt this old then a person who is only just out of Hogwarts!
"Using that fake stuff, of course it would go onto weird topics. What you really want is actual Veritaserum, of course its heavily monitored by the Ministry but..." He cut himself off, chuckled and shook his head. "For legal reasons I'm joking. I would never attempt brewing that stuff." Which was true, why would he attempt brewing something that can be used to make him spill information? Plus Wolfsbane was proving annoying enough to do.
He didn't think he'd get in trouble with Fauna, she would know he was joking, hopefully. Although the way she was with Tia he didn't even know if she'd notice him considering she is drunk with just her presence. Drinks were arriving which was a good distraction, tequila shots were here and that was a good enough reason to go off the topic right?
He started offering out the shots, he could do a cheers but he didn't have much of a reason, let the others come up with a reason if they wanted, either get hammered or get hammered while pretending there is a reason. Either is good.
-
They were kind of getting over the hurdle that had arisen from her inability to not bring up the safehouse incident. Kind of. That's the best thing about wizarding society being as small as it was here - if all else fails, everyone can always talk about Hogwarts. The lynchpin of a thousand stories. Tequila arrived to help things along, and Adrestia met Fauna's eyes with an affectionate smile as she accepted the glass.
Figaro was talking. Something about Logorrhea? Tia forced herself to look away from the other witch's pretty gaze, focusing on the boys for a moment.
"Oh, are you a brewer?" Adrestria observed Lochlainn thoughtfully - she knew a few potion masters who sold Wolfsbane on the sly to places like Lapin. "I always wished I paid more attention in Potions," she added with a laugh. "I'd kill to make my own Wolfsbane every month."
The werewolf picked up her drink, lifting it with a quizzical smile at the other three. "So what shall we toast to, tonight? I'm biased, I'd only say we should toast to our witch in common," she winked at Fauna.
-
"To me, unable to stay out of anyone's business," Fauna smiled at Tia, unable to return the wink without looking like she had something in her eye.
She raised her shot glass, ready to toast with Lochlainn, the expert brewer, and Fig, who didn't need Logorrhea to be chatty, and Tequila - she meant Tia. Tia!
Fauna shook her head and laughed to herself. What now? Her eyes were burning from the tequila.
"Logorrhea is the root of all problems," she said philosophically, lifting her empty shot glass to peer at it.
"At the next party, we should play Truth or Drink. You take turns and ask a personal question of the group. Whoever wants to answer, answers. Whoever doesn't, takes a drink. Or they sing a song. Or something silly, you know."
Fauna thought it sounded more fun! She'd play it now, in fact. Unluckily for her, she was already tipsy, and would have to err on the side of truth.
-
"To Fauna!" Figaro agreed grandly, touched his glass with others, and downed the tequila. Lochlainn had laid down enough gold for the good stuff so Figaro came back from the shot with an impressed smile on his face. Loch was going to be buying everything tonight.
It didn't pass Figaro's attention that Loch was in some kind of potions business just like Figaro's family, but Fig had more in common with Tia who hadn't paid attention in the relevant classes (much to his parents chagrin and eventual, exasperated acceptance).
"Secrets are the root of all problems," Figaro said then without really thinking. No matter what everyone else thought, a party was always better with some radical truth-telling among friends.
"Air it out," he added and waved a hand in the air as if he was dissipating a fart.
-
Loch nodded along, to Fauna would be the better toast, he raised his shot to that. "To Fauna." He said before taking the shot, his eyes squeezed shut and his body shuddered as it took in the drink, Tequila was always, such a terrible idea. it was a horrible horrible drink, that was so good. He always felt like he should reject it as soon as he drank it but then the warmth spread over and that was fine. Just fine. He needed some salt and lime, although he'd never found it did much it just felt right.
Fauna was being philosophical about truth potions, which he'd side with, it is a root of evil. Who wants all your secrets spread about the place? Apparently Figaro wanted that and it started to go onto the side of he was pretty sure the person wasn't smart, likely he was the type to run with scissors. Probably did good in Hogwarts but if he was just out of hogwarts and believed that everyone should know everything, he probably shouldn't be around him too much, especially with his parents running a potion shop. He'd slip truth drinks in at some point to get to know him better and that would be game over.
Tia had gone onto the topic of potions, a mistake to be sure with him around but he'd do his best to not bore her, he was probably partially drunk, so he should be good. Asking if he was a brewer was slightly a problem, he was a full time brewer and salesman, he would like to be door to door but he makes more money by not being monitored by the Ministry, he probably should go legitimate but he needed the money, and there were benefits to not being known by the ministry. So that helped, maybe once he'd made a small fortune he would. Once he's the greatest Wolfsbane maker in the world seems like a good point.
"I don't think that's strictly legal to do." He tried to joke about her wolfsbane comment. "But I have experience brewing yes. I'm sure I can try making you something if you ever need." He probably would offer a discount, maybe even offer the potions for free if they're not made of rare or expensive ingredients he'd have a limited amount of.
He poured himself and Fauna a glass of the Berry Ocky Rot, and handed out the remainder of the drinks, one of the new Hopsworts and the red wine from the last decade for Tia. This night is going to be why he's going to be selling potions illegally forever.
-
It was weird how tequila arrives and logic just throws itself out of the window. They had barely sipped their drinks! But such was the only way to explain Fauna's leap of logic, from decrying Loggorhea to proposing a party game that literally involved having to sometimes tell the truth! Adrestia laughed at the suggestion and kissed the other witch's cheek affectionately.
Figaro was totally onboard with the truth-telling way of life which was... good? Maybe? Tia shot him a puzzled smile before clocking Lochlainn's offer, "Aaw, don't worry about it. I got my contacts," she winked.
Maybe he was offering unlicensed Wolfsbane, maybe he wasn't. Adrestia didn't want to get too close to the subject; she knew about a lot of underground resources for werewolves and she had to be careful not to talk about them. Definitely not around a reporter, or even around Fauna.
"Anyway," she continued, gesturing with her glass, "some secrets are good. Like, the statute of secrecy right? Or when you have to keep a secret not to hurt someone. Or to protect someone else. Let's be real."
-
Fig was talking about secrets being terrible as he gestured in the air in a way she'd seen before. Fauna frowned and drew back. Who had dealt it? Not her! Loch was talking about legalities and offering to brew potions for Tia. Very thoughtful! She sipped at something berry-flavored in her glass, and Tia kissed her on the cheek after proclaiming secrets to be good.
Fauna smiled bashfully at the kiss. Hm? Oh, Tia must be referring to all the investigative and protective work that Level 2 and Level 4 did. Secrets were good at the Ministry.
"You're so right," Fauna nodded.
Too many drinks later and without any Loggorhea to blame, Fauna had told several embarrassing stories about herself. She talked a little about her muggle family, and her awkward teen years, and Aurors pulling pranks at work. That time she'd unleashed a ghoul from a cabinet at Hogwarts! That time she'd fought back a fleet of geminio'd memos on Level Two. That time her sister had hopped on the Knight Bus with her after a night out much like this one (they'd somehow lived to tell the tale).
She listened to her friends, and flirted with Tia, and made the napkin-swan fly for a few seconds before it dive-bombed behind the bar.
Everything felt warm and fuzzy and funny. Then they declared it 'that time', and they all stood up and paid up and gathered their coats and bags.
Fauna slowly rose, her hand on the bar.
"Where are we going now? Home? Homes?" She chuckled. "To our homes?"
She hooked arms with Tia who was very pretty and lovely and standing steady right now.
"Under the sea with the grindylows," she murmured in a singsong.
-
Figaro was wrapping up a Quidditch discussion with Lochlainn. He'd warmed up to the strange sexy older guy as the night went on, finding it easy enough to forget how easily he spoke about home-brew Wolfsbane Potion and shady business.
"See you make a good point, but you're wrong it's Ballycastle," Loch said. Figaro pulled on his coat (ever not quite right for the season).
"Get down from that," Figaro laughed at Fauna, who dangled off Tia's arm all soppy and happy. The years on the Auror Corps were affecting his old friend, and she was more and more interested in a drink. Figaro on the other hand, since November, was mellowing because he was just so tired. He drank less when he was out and a bit more when he was home to make his sleep
It had been harder to feel comfortable around Tia. She was really friendly and funny but she reminded him of the safe house. It was impossible to not. That and it was strange to see Fauna with someone.
He pivoted back to Loch, unable to let him have the final word. "And I've told you, Ballycastle are really sweet people but they've got skulls like everyone else. Bludgers are the equalizer, understand? Dom Wiedman is the undertaker."
Figaro held up his hands and lifted his eyebrows, point made he hoped.
-
"Aye aye, Bludgers are the equalizer, but we can use them also and can smash yer heads in." It was true bludgers could equalize but the truth is, none of Ballycastle were weak enough to accept taking a shot to the head as the end of the match for them. They're thick skulled, may seem like an insult but those in northern Ireland are a hardy breed, not accepting a simple injury like massive cranial trauma to stop them from catching the snitch.
So he didn't get much information that night, but it didn't matter to him so much, Fauna was incredibly drunk, if anything he wondered how it was possible for her to walk right now seeing how she was stumbling about the place and had to hold onto Tia. And Figaro just couldn't accept that he was wrong about Quidditch! The Falcons weren't a team, they weren't even flying clowns. They were the entire circus! Barely anything good can come from Cornwall, the Falcons were the closest to good and even then its debatable that they were a quidditch team.
"Homes sounds good." He sighed as he stood up from his chair, he checked his pockets to see how much money he had left, very much aware that whoever was on glass cleaning duty would be running overtime this night, he very much felt like they'd need a tip, although he himself could probably do with money after the night also, it had been fun but perhaps he should insist less in the future to pay for every drink.
So what had come from the night, alot of alcohol...wine isn't bad he supposed...Figaro liked telling the truth, or atleast what he assumed was the truth when it came to Quidditch. Tia and Fauna seemed like a cute couple, and to him a bit interesting, werewolf who said she had contacts for wolfsbane, and an Auror. That was bound to get interesting if anything happened with Loggorhea.
-
She had hardly been done with her first tequila when Tia started pacing herself. Which had been a good idea now that they were all finally ready to leave - a point she'd reached a little earlier than the rest, though she was content to hang out longer to listen to Fauna's stories. All this time she thought all aurors had the same, generally terrifying stories that cousin Andy told. But these were different.
These were Fauna-esque.
"Where are we going now? Home? Homes? To our homes? Under the sea with the grindylows..."
Adrestia laughed, placing a steadying hold over the hand that the other witch had looped through her arm. Figaro was all about the quidditch - was that his default? - but Loch echoed the sentiment to retreat for the night.
"Homes=!" she exclaimed in the affirmative, raising her free hand like they were taking votes. "Three! That's a majority. Come on, I'm taking you," Tia bumped hips with Fauna, "home, sexy auror. And getting out some hangover potion for tomorrow." Apparating this drunk was not a good idea for either of them - that's what the Underground was for anyway.
-
Fauna laughed. Sexy Auror! She didn't mind it one bit when Tia called her that. No one else was allowed!
"Thank you, babe," she swerved in (like a dance step) and kissed Tia on the cheek and caught her balance again.
Oh Merlin, what term of endearment had just come out of her mouth.
Moving on!
"Bye," Fauna waved at Loch and Fig, who were discussing Quidditch tactics she cared not one iota about, as Quidditch was low on the list of important things according to Fauna.[1]
She would have hugged them, except she didn't trust herself to maintain her balance, and she was very comfy-cozy hanging off of Tia's arm.
"Bye," she said again, turning around to head homes.
Fin