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Role-Play Boards => London => Muggle London => Topic started by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 19, 2019, 04:32:59 PM

Title: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 19, 2019, 04:32:59 PM

10 December 2011
Full Moon
7:30pm on a Saturday evening
The Blackwood Cafe

They really shouldn't be out. It was the night of a full moon and the Daily Prophet was full of warnings of direwolves and increased danger and vigilance, but this was important. Well, it felt important. Yeah, they really shouldn't be out.

Figaro's owl to Moira McBoid to meet him at the Blackwood cafe near his building had been vague but sensational. He'd written it so quickly the only punctuation marks he could remember existed were exclamation points so he'd used several. And now, he sat on a stoop at a table next to the window, Figaro's pen was tap-tap-tapping in an anxious (or caffeinated) staccato.

He'd owled her straight from work, then for the past half hour or forty-five minutes had been digging through the stacks of old Daily Prophets that accumulated in his apartment. There was something. Something that the Daily Prophet was overlooking. Something big. If he was wrong, well, he could abort the mission and no one would have to know, right? But if he was right? Well, he'd either be fired or promoted. Or dead by the poisonous bite of a horrible serpent. He ought to drop it. Yeah, he really ought to drop it.

Every time the door opened, Figaro looked up and took furtive sips of his large coffee. Cold wind rushed in from the darkening street. He hadn't waited for a reply from Moira, so he was starting to worry she wouldn't show. Which would be wise, honestly.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 19, 2019, 08:07:52 PM

Moira left work shortly after seven p.m., an impatient owl with a letter waiting for her at home. Frowning the wix took the letter addressed to her from Figaro, gave the owl a thank you treat before letting it go on its way, and then read the contents. All she could really make out from the letter was that Fig wanted to meet her at a cafe over something incredibly urgent immediately.

With a small sigh she went to take a fast shower and change into clean robes. Once Moira was done with that she ate the sandwich that had been meant for lunch, she never got around to eating that day, while checking the contents of her bag to make sure her potion for wakefulness/alertness was where it should be. The last time she had gone out with her new friend she ended up not coming home until the next day.

Normally it wouldn't be such a big deal. Sundays were her days off. Being out late on a Saturday meant she could sleep in late if necessary the next morning. Except Moira had picked up a shift on Sunday for someone who requested time off. Tomorrow she couldn't sleep in.

By the time seven thirty rolled around Moira had finished her preparations and apparated to a safe spot by the Blackwood Cafe. Walking inside she quickly spotted Figaro and walked over, sitting across from him. "Alright, what's this about?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 21, 2019, 11:58:08 AM

Figaro jumped up as Moira sat down.

"Hey, hey, alright? Need anything?" he asked patting her on the back. Before she answered he waved at the barista and pointed at Moira. "Coffee, cream, sugar. You like sugar, Mo? Hold the sugar."

That done he sat back down and scratched the back of his neck.

"Did you see this?"

He smoothed out an old clipping from the Daily Prophet and slid it over.

Quote from: The Daily Prophet on August 14, 2018, 05:10:29 PM

Runespoors Wash Up on Thames
by Niobe Thursby

04 November 2011

In the early morning of the 2nd of November, the remains of seven dead Runespoor serpents were found on the shores of the Thames in East London.

According to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, the serpents had been dead at most a fortnight, although the conditions in the river make it difficult to determine exactly how long ago.

"Regardless of how the public might feel about Runespoors," commented Balfour Spectre, head of Beasts Division, "we must bear in mind that the mistreatment of creatures is strictly illegal and inhumane."

The appearance of these Runespoor carcasses is a reminder that the illegal trade in Runespoors and Runespoor parts is still active in the black market. An interdepartmental effort ending in 2008 nearly put an end to most trade and resulted in multiple convictions. But by 2010, Runespoors began to again make an appearance in underground circles.

At time of publication, the origins of the Thames Runespoors are unknown.

He sipped his own giant coffee and explained in a rapid, not-quiet whisper.

"So I'm sorting through the mail at the Prophet, as ya do, and if there's no name on it, I open it and get it to the right person. There's always loads of tips coming in about stories or whatevs - honestly shit that should go to Level Two but people send it to us. Anyway, a great lot of them are absolutely bogus but so this one comes in and it seems legitimate to me, right? So I'm showing it to Thursby but she brushes it off. No idea why, she takes one look at it and just bins it. So I'm stood there wondering."

He took a deep breath and stabbed his finger on the article.

"But I'm bloody certain it's related to this. Runespoors, right? Bloody runespoors. We have to do something about this. You know about animals, right?"

Finally, he stopped talking and stared at her.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 21, 2019, 09:29:55 PM

Moira lifted a brow slightly at Fig. He was more hyped up than usual and if his ordering her a coffee already meant anything it was a bad sign for her evening.

She nodded when he said to hold the sugar. A touch of creamer was the most she would accept.

As for reading the Prophet, it wasn't one of her pastimes but her family made sure she knew about everything going on. It's good to stay informed on the world. This particular article was no different.

Moira barely had time to nod before Fig was off again, explaining what the point of this meeting was. Except he didn't really explain. He just told her how it started.

About what did they have to do something? Dead Runespoors that had long since been disposed of? And why did they have to do anything?

"Figaro... what are you going on about? What tip?" Whatever it was he seemed to be incredibly excited about it.

Glancing up as the barrista delivered her coffee Moira nodded a thanks before looking back to her tablemate.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 22, 2019, 10:04:40 AM

Figaro stared at Moira.

"I just told you. Keep up, McBoid."

He waved at her to get to work on the coffee. Then, as if he'd just remembered, he unrolled a many-times-folded piece of paper. The text was that of a deranged typewriter, the letters treating the baseline like it was lava; but it was still legible. It said:

to who^M it may disturb:
^Only _the ^Ri_ght^Eou^S e^Nj_oy ^Anat_hema's ^Kn_av^ES. ^Forever pa^INe^D, e^Ternally ^Hat^Ed.
^Wh^Atsover ve^XEs _the vexe^D: t_urn _back, o_h ^MAN.

He waited, his leg bouncing, itching to get moving. "It's a code. It's a code."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 22, 2019, 11:06:27 PM

Moira was beginning to question her decision on arriving to meet with Sellaphix. At the most she figured she'd hear him out and then be on her way back home. Maybe some late night story on a new disaster in his life would be involved. This had not crossed her mind.

As he pushed the abused piece of paper towards her she read through it. Glancing over it again her housemate went on excitedly about the note being a code. "Even if it is legitimate it sounds dodgy." She finally took a drink of her coffee. A little too sweet.

"And yes, I've read about them but I'm not an expert or anyth-." Moira cut herself off to stare at him for a moment.

"You're going anyway, aren't you?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 23, 2019, 08:14:12 AM

Figaro had long since learned to never be discouraged by Moira's steady affect. She wasn't going to animate over exciting things or laugh at his jokes, probably. Moira also wasn't going to panic under pressure. (That was Figaro's job.) She was Moira and she was a good witch in a storm and easy to be around and Figaro produced all the energy a friendship required all on his own.

He waited as Moira began to mull it over. He had to bite his lip to keep from interrupting her.

Then his face lit up. He gestured grandly. "Yes!"

And just like that he got up and started putting on his nearly weather-appropriate jacket (which still had Talisha Crowe's business card in it, fun fact). He grabbed up the letter and the article and pulled on his hat.

"Thank you, Mo. You're the best. We have to go down to the river first."

She wasn't moving.

"Let's go?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 23, 2019, 09:54:04 AM

Moira watched as Figaro took her question as an agreement to go. He gathered his things to leave, telling her where they needed to start. The wizard only paused upon realizing she wasn't moving to follow.

A choice had to be made. She could stay, finish her coffee, and then go home leaving Sellaphix to whatever fate the night might lead and possibly damage their beginnings of a friendship. Sure, established boundaries were vital in any relationship be it family, friends, or something else.

Then again, dodgy as all this sounded maybe he'd end up in real trouble. She'd hear about the tragic death of a young teenager just out of Hogwarts and a pending investigation. Then she'd have another death to feel guilty about. "Shit."

Tilting her head back she downed her entire coffee then stood up from the table. "This is a really bad idea, you know."

Moving to follow him she glanced at him when they got outside. "Do you even know what waxed man the 'code' was referring to?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 23, 2019, 11:35:08 AM

"This is a really bad idea, you know."

Figaro smiled at her sweetly and placed his hand over his heart. "I do know."

Outside the cafe Figaro moved at almost a trot and stopped short. Moira had seen the message too! MORE SNAKES FIND THE WAXED MAN was spelled out in the floated letters. He could have kissed her.

"You sly dog! Bloody clever. Took me hours," he wasn't ashamed to admit. "But yeah, no idea. But! I did find out where on the river those runespoors washed up."

It wasn't in the article, but Fig had bothered the right people at work.

"There's all those muggle factories and construction down there - I don't know how to describe it but I know where it is? Let me Apparate us?"

When Moira agreed, Figaro took her hand, walked them around the corner behind a dumpster, and with a Crack! Apparated them both to the water's edge.

---

Out in the open, the wind hit them. The full moon lit up everything in that eerie pale blue. The city twinkled at them across the river, the river itself inky black flecked with reflected light. All the structures were set well away from the river here, leaving a wide overgrown strip of land falling steeply down to the water. It was easy to see how something like eight-foot orange serpents could be missed.[1] As soon as they appeared, Figaro was on the move, picking his way through the tall wet grass and rocks.

"Verdimilious ,"[2] he incanted and the area around him was lit up with a thousand tiny green lights. They fell slowly to the ground where they faded.

"Help me look," he called to Moira.

1.	About here. (https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5196251,0.12678,3a,75y,48.76h,71.97t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipNpS6F48UmuRgg2zNek5PQmgW2Gge1sIKDgpW2X!2e10!3e12!7i5376!8i2688)
2.	Verdimilious Charm

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 23, 2019, 02:46:44 PM

Moira glanced oddly at him as he exclaimed at her cleverness. "The letters stuck out." In her mind, there wasn't anything spectacular to it, just a matter of observation.

Figaro not knowing what the code was regarding made her feel both relieved irritated. They were hunting blindly for something that might not exist yet but they also were not walking into a viper's nest of sorts. Exploring an area where dead creatures had been found was not nearly so bad.

Once they had apparated away Moira unconsciously relaxed a few tense muscles. Being back out away from the city, the wind playing with her hair, and smelling the river was calming. The lights reflected off the black river reminded Moira briefly of lost souls luring travelers into the dark.

The green sparks pulled her gaze away back to Figaro, who had begun searching the area. Shaking her head Moira shifted her bag to rest more securely on the hip opposite of the shoulder the strap rested on.

Doubtful that anything would be found here, there had been no evidence to suggest the Runespoors had expired in this area, Moira began picking and making her way around searching for anything unusual that might have appeared thanks to Fig's charm. There certainly was no hidden dock that she could see.

The grass areas were a bit more tricky to navigate.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 23, 2019, 03:05:49 PM

Figaro worked his way down to the edge of the river, where lines of twigs and debris showed the river's path in weeks past. Everything that ended up here had once been up river.  His spell was turning up nothing amid the food wrappers, lost shoes, and tangles of branches. He wasn't even sure what he was looking for, but if he did -

"Oi! Found something!"

It had been twenty minutes but finally, something started to glow in the muck. The green sparks had revealed something touched by the Dark Arts.

The object was half-buried in the drift-trash and grime but he could clearly make out a glass jar or bottle. Once he completely extricated it and stood back up to show Moira, it turned out to be missing its top, the label was washed away, and it had a great chip out of it.

"Someone's kept something nasty in this," he said, and gave it a sniff. It just smelled like river muck.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 23, 2019, 07:34:19 PM

The riverbank was disgusting. So much trash and junk had washed up on the banks the image did not invoke pristine thoughts. And among all the trash nothing was glowing or showing any signs of being more than garbage.

At least, not until Figaro's voice cut through the silence again. Looking back Moira watched as he held up an old, broken bottle which had been in the river for who knew how long. So helpful.

Being the best lead the wix had so far, the only lead, she made her way back through and over to where he was. The label was gone and there seemed to be no apparent way to judge what the bottle had stored or where it came from.

Glancing at Fig she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the bottle. "Specialis Revelio." The spell surrounded the bottle and seeped inside, where a faint purple color appeared. Most traces had been washed away but it appeared as though an extra ingredient for Runespoor food had once been stored inside it.

"Okay, now what?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 23, 2019, 08:05:27 PM

Figaro watched Moira cast a spell on his bottle, watched the spell change colors, and then watch Moira hand it boredly back to him.

"What do you mean, 'now what'? What was that? What's it mean?"

The sounds of the muggle city were dulled by distance and the subtle rumble of the steady river. Figaro didn't hear the voice until the flashlight washed over them. Fig squinted into the light. Someone was up at the fence.

        "I said, this is private property, you lot!" came the official sounding voice.

Figaro immediately shouted back. "No it's not! Public beach! Free country!"

        "Y-.. yes it is! Private! There are signs! You have to go!" The voice was sputtering a little but seemed firm in her convictions.

Figaro turned his back to the light and shook his head. To Moira he said, "they're not going to do anything."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 23, 2019, 08:29:10 PM

Suppressing a sigh Moira answered his question. "The bottle stored something used in the Runespoor's food, but it's impossible to tell what or even when." Maybe it was something to make the snakes more docile, or an ingredient to increase the potency of the venom. There wasn't much use in speculating over the matter without more to go on.

The uncertain voice didn't bother the witch any, ignoring people was a specialty. When the beam of light flashed over them though Moira half glared up at the offending object, willing it to go dark again. When the light sputtered and died, the muggle said something about having just changed the battery, she was only partially surprised.

Figaro's reassurance that the muggle above them wouldn't do anything just made her shake her head. "Maybe not, but we've been here for a while and all we've found is that broken bottle." Their chances of finding something else more ominous or helpful were decreasing by the minute. Staying any longer seemed a waste of time.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 23, 2019, 09:36:57 PM

Figaro smiled as Moira straight-up dead-eyed the light out with her mind. Witches were amazing, truely they could burn the world into ashes if they all decided to. In the moon-lit dark, Figaro raised a bird to the distant nosy muggle. He was having a proper adventure now that they'd found something, but Moira seemed as business-like as before.

"Fine. We'll go. But I'm seriously beginning to question your commitment to ... whatever this is," he said feigning seriousness. He began tromp westward up river, looking at the bottle in the moonlight.

"Can't Apparate here. Them's the rules." All they really had to do was get a 'reasonable' distance from the 'reasonable' expectation of non-magical observers. And to Figaro, that meant, oh, fifteen feet and a glance over his shoulder.

He turned around to speak to Moira as he walked.

"Hey, I think my parents have a book on Runespoors. Best not ask why, bit of a sore subject, but regardless - have you been to the Apothecary? Number three Knockturn Alley. It'll be closed and we can just pop in."

Figaro shrugged. No big deal. Maybe a little bit of reading would make more sense of the bottle.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 24, 2019, 12:10:50 AM

Had she not known Sellaphix to be joking about her committing - hadn't she heard that from someone else recently? - Moira would have rolled her eyes. She was here, not about to abandon him, and they both knew it.

Figaro fortunately didn't argue about searching more. He began walking further up the bank and before Moira thought to follow him a faint green glimmer barely submerged at the water's edge caught her eye. With no time to look she crouched down, scooped up the object along with a handful of mud, and began walking just before Fig turned to walk backwards. She half expected him to trip over a patch of grass as they went.

Something about Runespoors and the Sellaphix family sounded familiar from somewhere long ago. But that was where it stayed, in the past. For the moment what they needed, according to Fig, was that book.

"Aye. I was there about a week ago. Met your mum. She seems nice."

Glancing back at the muggle, hiding the faintest smirk, she checked their location. The muggle was far enough away, back at their car trying to fix their torch. Moira apparated to the apothecary with a faint crack.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 25, 2019, 01:08:34 PM

8:15pm

"Wait what-!" Figaro shouted at the vacuum left by Moira's Apparition. He cracked away after her with haste.

He appeared in the street in front of his family's darkened shop and looked for Moira.

"Hey," he asked, this time in the Knockturn Whisper, a mode learned from many years of his parents' drilling a healthy fear of the neighborhood. He skirted over to her and steered her down the very narrow alley between the Apothecary and their neighbor. They'd enter through the back.

"What do you mean you met my mum. Why?" he asked as they arrived in the cramped back alley.

It wasn't that Figaro was embarrassed of his parents, but he preferred they didn't know too much about his personal life, especially lately as he hadn't been a model son since leaving Hogwarts. Plus, Zelda was ... intense. He started working through the seven locks on the back door before letting them both in.

The scratchy orange light from Knockturn's unreliable street lamps seeped in the shop's front windows, splitting and speckling through to the back hallway. Figaro opted out of turning on the lights - he didn't need anyone from the street thinking there was someone inside to pester.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 25, 2019, 06:02:36 PM

When Figaro cracked into existence several steps away Moira looked over, mentally noting his perplexed expression. Her words appeared to have had the effect on him she'd predicted. Predicting responses could sometimes be too easy.

The witch said nothing as he steered her to the alley and into the back of the shop. She didn't blame him for leaving the lights off. It was easy enough to see from the street lights and this way they were less likely to attract unwanted attention.

Glancing around, Moira hadn't seen this portion of the shop during her visit, she waited a few beats to answer his question. "Hm? Oh, I was a customer in need of some ingredients and a potion. Your mum was very helpful." No further information was offered to the concerned wizard.

"Is there a sink I can use?" Once she learned where she nodded before walking into the little bathroom and turned on the water. Moira focused on washing off her hand and the object resting against her palm, curious to what it might be.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 25, 2019, 07:28:51 PM

Figaro pointed out the tiny loo before trotting up the the stairs to the office.

"Why didn't you ask me?" he called down. "I'm ... helpful...!"

He'd been covering shifts at the shop since his Zelda got out of the hospital and had continued to give his parents a break now that Rafe was out of Azkaban. He'd helped Hannah Bombay, hadn't he? Oh god, that had been a night...

"Ha!" he barked a laugh. Moira and Zelda hanging out. What could be weirder?

The office was cramped and cluttered. Every surface was covered in papers, boxes, supplies, books, folders ... it was a mess. Controlled chaos, his dad called it. Even his mum, who was more of a packrat than she let on, seemed to be productive in this tip. The clutter was almost its own kind of security ward - thieves would spend all night rifling through it and never find what they were looking for. But Figaro was a Sellaphix, He was never allowed in here, but it had to be in his blood.

Figaro set down the broken bottle and began digging looking for the old book he was sure he'd seen before, a book about Runespoors.

"Merlin, how do they find anything in here...?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 25, 2019, 08:10:55 PM

"I came on a recommendation and you weren't keeping the shop when I did." Moira could only imagine at the unpleasantness were she to tell Fig who had 'recommended' the shop to her. Besides that, she didn't like giving out names for various reasons.

Moira listened to Fig rummage around somewhere upstairs as she turned off the water. She dried off her hands and the item that appeared to be some sort of token.

The unblemished silver gleamed in the low light despite having been in the muck. On one side sat an emblem of a three headed snake, clearly a Runespoor. Flipping the token over revealed nothing but a blank, smooth surface except for an ornate design around the edge. Running her thumb over the design she checked for anything familiar. The only thing she could place was that the design wasn't rune based.

Leaving the loo and climbing the stairs Moira turned it over between her fingers a few times. She debated with herself on showing her evening comrade the token. If something came of it he was bound to get excited and want to go hunt down the newest lead, but maybe she wasn't giving him enough credit.

At the moment there didn't seem to be anything malicious about it and she would have thought it belong to a lover of Runespoors. The token had glowed with Fig's spell.

Stopping at the door way she watched him rifle through a few items for a moment.

"I found this in the mud just before we left."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 25, 2019, 08:36:39 PM

Figaro stood up from his searching like he was coming up for air. It was no use. Clearly his parents had cleaned house. Either that or it was in another of Zelda and Rafe's secret caches. That was probably it. Well.

"It's not here," he breathed, shaking his head. But Moira had found something! He approached and took the coin.

"Runespoor," he said, seeing what Moira had. He turned it over and, touched the smooth unmarked side. Fig handed it back, well pleased and questions about Moira and Zelda and their joint efforts to ruin his life forgotten for now.

"Well, that's obviously enchanted," he said. "What do you think it is?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 25, 2019, 08:59:04 PM

Moira nodded, accepting Figaro's conclusion that the book was not there. She didn't feel like spending hours helping him sort through everything. More likely than not she'd end up cleaning a pile or two and then the owners would know for sure someone had been looking through the room.

From what she had seen of Figaro's place he didn't care for organization. He wouldn't be their first conclusion.

Taking the token back from him once he was done she shook her head. "There's no telling."

Tucking it away in one of her pockets an idea struck her. "Unless it works sort of like the medical badges at St. Mungos. Communication?" Moira had sat waiting in their lobbies and rooms often enough she had to watch something.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 25, 2019, 10:03:31 PM

"Brilliant," he said and clapped her on the shoulder. "Means we just have to find the other one."

Figaro looked at her smugly, his face saying it all: he was right about the code and he was right about bringing Moira. She was helping and she was liking it.

Before he walked out, he pulled open a desk drawer and took out a bag of cheesy crackers - there was always something stashed up here.

"Alright, let's go," he said. Before he walked out, he pulled open a desk drawer and took out a bag of cheesy crackers - there was always something stashed up here.

He popped a cracker in his mouth.  "If my mum knew I was here, she'd kill me. We really shouldn't even be out," he said, trotting down the stairs.

"It's a full moon, you know."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 25, 2019, 10:20:13 PM

Moira met his smug look with her own impassive one.

"The chances of finding another one aren't great, you know. Pure chance I found this one and there's probably a lot more than just a pair. Smuggling rings include more than just two people after all." She made sure to emphasize the part about smuggling rings. Criminal activity. If she was right about the token there was real danger in doing this.

Moira watched as Fig descended the stairs with his crackers, not moving to immediately follow like back at the cafe. "Yes, I know. It's not my idea to be out there. I'd readily go home." And yet she stayed.

With a small sigh she made her way down the stairs.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 25, 2019, 10:39:19 PM

Figaro led the way out the back of the shop into the chilly dark back-alley. He picked is way through fastening the seven locks and then double-checking them. He chattered as he did this.

"Time is a factor, Moira. The tip came in today and I think that means something. Like, why wait over a month? Some bloke with a creepy typewriter chooses today to compose a hidden message and blow the world open? Something's going down tonight. You go home though, mate," he said, sneaking a smile.

"Good luck sleeping wondering if your sweet Figaro is dead in a ditch somewhere."

Locks locked, he offered her some crackers. "Ever been on a stake-out? Better have some."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 25, 2019, 11:22:52 PM

Standing back in the alley while he dealt with the locks Moira snorted at his comment. Figaro sweet? Pain in the arse and destroyer of normal schedules, more like.

"Yes, tonight. Perfect night to lure someone out to become werewolf food."

Moira shook her head, declining the crackers. "Not hungry. Where are we going now, exactly?"

Seeing movement from the corner of her eye she turned her head, staring hard for a moment, eyes slightly narrowed and alert. Nothing. Taking Fig by the elbow Moira began leading them away from the movement.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 26, 2019, 08:41:41 AM

Figaro had heard it, too. He'd practically grown up at the shop, but Knockturn was not to be taken lightly. He'd learned that the hard way a few times. So he let Moira hurry them back out to the street where at least there was a street light and it would be safer to Apparate. Her comment about werewolves - yeah, he'd considered that risk. And... disregarded it. The chances, mathematically were so slim... right? Right.

"Going for the waxed man, the bloke from the code," he explained. "Only place I know of that has wax people is Madame Tussauds. You know it?"

It was one of those places that fascinated muggles and magic folk alike. A museum filled with wax sculptures of celebrities and historical figures, incredibly lifelike and frozen eerily stock still.

"My parents' place is only a ten minute walk from there. I think we should set up at the back door and see if anyone goes in. Long shot," he shrugged.

He knew Moira knew how to get to his family's house, so it seemed like a good place to Apparate.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 26, 2019, 07:39:54 PM

Moira shook her head when he mentioned a place called Madame Tussauds. Seemed strange to her to call a place 'Madame' but that wasn't the oddest thing she had ever heard of.

Until her friends had started dragging her along the witch hadn't explored very many places. In fact, her first time seeing a play had only been a few months ago[1]. If it weren't for Sasha and Abby she still wouldn't have been to one.

When Figaro mentioned his parents place Moira gave him a side look. Both of his parents would be home this time instead of the house being empty. Hopefully they wouldn't hear them Apparate in and look out the window.

"Anywhere specific?" Once he told her she nodded, "See you there," and Apparated away.

In the backyard Moira, out of habit and curiosity, looked around. Their garden looked healthy even in December, which was no surprise. Cautiously she looked over at the house next to see if she could spot anyone at one of the windows, but most of the rooms were dark.

1.	More Devils Than Vast Hell (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=19674.0)

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 26, 2019, 09:04:22 PM

10pm

Figaro appeared, smiled to see Moira had made it, thinking back to how she'd handled getting him here all on her own under challenging circumstances this fall.

"Wait here. I just want to run and get something."

The backdoor opened into the kitchen. He could see the living room lights on down the hall.

"I'm a burglar!" he called to whichever of his parents was still up. They were both night owls despite the long hours they worked.

        "The good china's in the credenza," Zelda sang out, knowing full well it was her son.

It wasn't unusual for him to pop in from time to time to borrow something, grab clothes or things he'd left behind when he moved out, or, in this case, provisions for a stake-out. Figaro rifled through the kitchen cupboards and pulled out a tube of biscuits, crisps, and a nearly full bottle of green tea vodka. He shoved them all in a grocery sack and was back out the door.

"Right, let's go." Figaro led the way out of the back garden and out onto the street. They approached the patina'd copper dome of the world-famous waxworks.  They found their way to the roof of a nearby building close to the park where they could see a back entrance to the museum and were out of sight of muggle CCTV security cameras.

One muffling charm and a shadow enchantment and they were set up. Set up to ... wait.

10:30pm

Figaro set the bag of snacks between them and tried to get comfortable on the rooftop gravel. Below, a single lightbulb flickered on the loading dock. He popped the top off the green tea-flavored vodka and took a sip. Classy.

Handing it over to Moira, he brought it up not at all casualy.

"So truthfully, why were you at the apothecary? I thought we were friends," he said with a grin.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 26, 2019, 10:14:27 PM

Moira watched Fig dash inside and shrank back a bit further into the darkness to wait patiently for his return. In the meantime, she observed and appreciated the different aspects of the garden and the layout of their backyard. On their farm there was the back half where her new and semi-furnished cottage stood, the garden, the paddocks, and so on. Yards were not included.

Sellaphix returned from the house and, wordlessly, Moira began walking with him to the Madam place.

Getting settled and comfortable on a roof turned out to be slightly more difficult than one might imagine. It wasn't as easy as settling onto an earthy patch and definitely not as comfortable. Eventually the two of them got as close to comfort as possible, and Moira did grab a bite from one of the snacks set up between them.

Accepting the offered vodka, though not her drink of choice, Moira took a small drink. She was in no position to complain. There wasn't a bottle of something better in her bag. Perhaps considerations on adding one, in case of emergencies, were in order.

Glancing over at his question she frowned some, "I told you the truth. I needed good and fresh ingredients that aren't always easy to find." There was no denying her habit of omitting key facts. Outright lying was something she tried to avoid unless there was no other way.

Something about that encounter still bothered her though. Moira looked to him curiously, "Does your mum normally give a few supplies away at no charge?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 26, 2019, 11:03:48 PM

"No."

Figaro's answer dripped with disbelief and scandal.

"Zelda. Zelda gave you shit for free."

He honestly couldn't believe it. Maybe his dad would have his favorite customers and schmooze them with discounts, but Zelda was a beast.  This didn't make sense. His mum wouldn't give discounts to people just because they were his friend. If anything, she'd charge more to Figaro's ragamuffin associates. And why would Moira go and not owl him? He wasn't sore about it, but something wasn't connecting.

"Fine, but you didn't answer my question, you slippery minx," he said and took back the vodka. "I know how good our shop is. It's the best in the city. But that doesn't explain why you didn't owl me. Come on. Tell us. What are you hiding?"

His words on their own might have sounded hostile, but really, even though he was serious about the missing piece, he was having a bit of a laugh. The hidden drive behind Tussauds was quiet.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 27, 2019, 12:28:01 PM

Moira nodded at his disbelief. "A cauldron stone, a potion, and Hedge's Liquid Almanac, I think. The total cost was too low to cover those and everything else." She still stuck by her decision to not argue with the witch about the price.

Moira hid a hint of a smile at Figaro digging for more information by taking another bite of the snack food. Eating so late was a terrible idea but her stomach had begun to protest her lack of an appetite at lunch.

"Honestly, I didn't even think to owl you. It was on my day off from work at the menagerie ranch and I was already out shopping. Figured I'd stop by on the way."

No lies there either. Moira glanced down at the empty street.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 27, 2019, 09:46:19 PM

"I hate you," Figaro leaned back and shared in the snacks.

Two Hours Later... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TuxFKJAoYM)

It was after midnight and they'd gotten through half the bottle. So far they'd seen a dog. People walked by the entrance to the drive but noone had approached the back door. Figaro and Moira had talked about all kinds of things. Well, Figaro did most of the talking.

That status of the Falmouth Falcons, how he was pretty sure his little brother was gay, some vulgar limericks his dad had written in prison, how he'd grown to love the tight red trousers he'd gotten in the Ministry lost and found, what Fauna Blake was up to. He asked about Moira and her farm, if she'd transformed into a wolf lately. All the usual stuff.

But just then a shadowy figure seemed to appear in the hidden drive. They were carrying a big bag, moving quickly and looking around as they walked. Figaro hit the deck!

Trying to keep his head low, and blink away the buzz from the vodka, Figaro hissed at Moira to get down.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 12:26:29 PM

As the hours dragged on the green bottle in her was increasingly tempting. But if she had even a few drops getting sleep at all would be impossible.

Figaro talked and she struggled to stay alert. The snacks had helped for the first hour, and after that it was her cohort's periodic questions to her. If she had been moving instead of sitting still staying focused on not sleeping wouldn't have been so difficult.

Then, suddenly, there was movement down below. The man was incredibly suspicious and Moira wished she could see what was in the bag.

Blinking at Fig's hissing she obliged, getting lower and more difficult to see while still being able to observe.

Feeling heat in her pocket she pulled out the token she had found. Green writing had appeared on the blank side with a location and a time. So her hunch was right and the token was for communication.

Moira looked to Fig. They were just observing, right?

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 28, 2019, 12:41:31 PM

Nearly 1am

Figaro squinted through the hazy light, diffused by the misty night. He couldn't tell if it was a witch or a wizard, the hood and loose layered robes. They both watched as the figure looked left and right, then began to trace a square of light against the museum wall. Into it, the mysteriuos figure slipped in the bag they were carrying. Then, as quickly as they appeared, the scuttled out of the drive and towards Regent's Park.

"C'mon," he whispered and made his move.

Snatching up their snacks, Figaro got up and, staying low, jogged across the roof to follow. This was it! He only stumbled once. He made it to the other end of the roof just in time to see the figure hope a hedge and cross the street. There wasn't any time to lose. Soon, Figaro and Moira were on the ground, ducking between buildings and over a fence. Figaro's heart beat fast in his chest from excitement and more exercise than he'd had in weeks. They shuttled across the empty street, over more hedges and into the park. He'd lost sight of the figure!

He rested his hands on his knees and waved vaguely.

"We need to split up," he breathed.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 07:24:36 PM

Groaning inwardly Moira pocketed the Runespoor token, while also making sure her bag was securely resting against her hip, and followed Figaro along the roof, keeping the suspicious person in sight. Since she was moving now her body began pumping adrenaline, preparing for a need to fight or flee, and in an instant her exhaustion was forgotten.

When they stopped, having lost sight of the person, she looked to Figaro at his suggestion. Moira shook her head, breathing quickly though not as hard as he. Thank Merlin for her daily runs every morning. "No, splitting up is a bad idea."

Having another idea to see if the person was still around Moira pulled out her wand. Giving it a wave, she imagined the broad area around them, she murmured, "Homenum Revelio."

The spell worked instantly, revealing the figure who had covered a lot of ground very quickly. Clearly he, or she, wanted to get as far away from the questionable place before they were spotted. The spell also found someone, something?, else closer to them than their person of interest.

Moira frowned uncertainty and caution in her tone, "Fig.... I think we should go."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 28, 2019, 07:37:45 PM

For a boy who'd grown up surrounded in magic, it was almost never Figaro Sellaphix's first impulse in problem solving. Maybe it was because his parents were more into plants or something? Now wasn't the time to dwell on it - he watched as Moira's spell showed how far behind they were.

She didn't want to split up. He stood up straight and shrugged. "Yea, you're probably right."

They didn't need to end up like a Wizarding Wireless horror show where someone goes to 'check out' the noise in the cellar. He knew Moira would be good to have along, keeping him alive while he chased half-drunk after some dark arts wix in the middle of muggle London. He could get on board sticking together, but give up now? After they'd come so far? How long had they sat on that roof?

"We can't stop now," he breathed. "We're so close. We can Apparate, cut 'em off at the mosque. Or something."

He was running out of ideas, and didn't want to run anymore.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 07:52:25 PM

Some language.

Unsurprisingly Sellaphix was fixated on the pursuit and 'capture' of their quarry. Anything else he had put outside of his mind. "Cut them off and do what?" Moira shook her head. "We have a more pressing matter right now."

The other person, thing, her spell had revealed was coming closer, seeming to have taken an interest in them. Whatever/whoever the thing, person, was - Moira hoped it wasn't what she thought - she didn't like it.

A full moon shone above them, illicit happenings were clearly taking place, and both of them were somewhat intoxicated and tired. None of these things led to good conclusions.

Fortunately for them both, working with winged horses all of her life had taught Moira to have quick reflexes along with fast thinking skills, when the time called for it. Glancing to the side she grabbed Figaro and yanked him back just as a very large werewolf ran by right where they had been standing. "Fuck!"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 28, 2019, 09:40:05 PM

Figaro's exclamation echoed Moira's. Something came at them from out of nowhere something that should never have been in a posh central London park that had gardens and ponds and hills for picnics. Moira pulled him out of harm's way and it was enough to get him moving. If he was tired, he forgot it. He was sprinting as fast as he could across the open grass, fumbling for his wand as he did. He didn't dare look back, but wait, Moira! Where was she!?

He faltered only a second to see her running off to his side. And in looking back, he saw what was chasing them. Unmistakable. Werewolf! They had to Apparate but he could crack away and just not know what happened to Moira.

"Moira!" he shouted. They were running out of space. Ahead of them a fence, behind them furry murder. Wand finally out of his pants, he pelted towards his friend trying to keep half an eye on the approaching beast.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 10:31:08 PM

Figaro was moving. Good. Turning on her heel she began running with him, listening to the person-beast behind them. They had the head start but it was faster than both of them.

Moira could turn into a wolf, distract it and give him a chance to escape but Figaro wasn't the kind of guy to just leave her there fighting and running from a werewolf and save himself.

They were approaching a fence, a dead end. There was no chance they could climb it before the werewolf would be upon them, leaving apparition as the only way out.

She looked over, hearing Fig call her name and start running at an angle to meet her. He must have reached the same conclusion. Once he was in range she grabbed hold of him and cracked! them away.

Because they had been running the landing when they appeared in the area in front of her family's cottage was a little rough.

Moira looked behind them to make sure the werewolf wasn't still bearing down on them. Letting go of Fig she pushed her hair back out of her face and took a moment to breathe and calm down, closing her eyes. Shit.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 28, 2019, 10:41:27 PM

The McBoid Cottage, Scotland
1:15am

There wasn't time to prepare. Moira yanked them both through the nether and they both appeared at a tumble. Figaro staggered a few steps, doubled-over and hurled. He almost never got Apparition sick, but circumstances as they were...? Well. Hands on his knees, he vomited another little one.

"Ughffff," he moaned closing his eyes. Half a bottle of vodka, bright orange cheesy chips, and other chunks and bits lay in a little stinky pile in the grass. Figaro stood up straight and tried to get his bearings. He looked dead sober now, as he turned in place. It took him a second. He sighed in relief. It was Moira's farm. The fence, the barn, the cottage. The cold wet wind blowing the tall grass. The only sound was the sky moving grey clouds above them to pass over the full moon, the distant trees shaking their leaves. There was no werewolf, no shadowy figure, no London city lights.

He laced his fingers behind his head and his gaze landed on Moira. Momentarily, the verbose Figaro was lacking a word.

"Well done, Mo," he finally said with a nervous smile.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 10:58:13 PM

Moira shook slightly, body full of adrenaline that no longer had an outlet. That happened sometimes when she had to stop a couple horses from fighting or faced own one that was in the middle of a panic. Normally, after such cases though her eyes didn't sting with the threat of tears.

Just before they apparated away Moira had seen the beast bearing down on them. She had felt the it's hot breath ready to bite and looked into its golden eyes filled with madness. It was all too easy to imagine those fangs sinking into her outstretched arm, or worse Figaro's shoulder, while the claws tore them to ribbons, their blood staining its jaws. Werewolf food. The stupid idiot.

Willing her eyes to stay dry she opened them and looked over to check on her friend. No blood or ripped clothes. He was okay.

Dimly she became aware of the breeze and the cold air chilling her heated skin.

With a small nod she replied, certain her voice would stay steady, "Thanks. I'm glad you're not dead."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 28, 2019, 11:16:44 PM

Figaro's heart began to sink into his stomach. Moira was always so in control, untouched by the chaos around her that even though she was trying to hide it, Fig could tell she was wrecked to bits (just like he was). She looked on the very edge of tears and he swallowed the lump in his throat. Seeing just that bit of genuine emotion threatened to shake something loose inside himself.

He slowly closed the gap between them, and not really thinking wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on hers. It was, he'd suppose, as much of a comfort for himself as for his friend.

"Yeah, you too."

She was warm and he could feel she was shaky.

"I'm sorry. It was my fault."

They'd almost died. It had been a matter of inches, he was sure. He'd gotten caught up in the drama of it all, they were about to blow the whole Runespoor thing wide open, make a difference. Any good judgement had been shoved to the back in favor of the excitement.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 11:38:41 PM

Moira stiffened slightly when Figaro came over and hugged her. She didn't push him away. In this instance a little human contact wasn't a bad thing. It helped them both reaffirm they were indeed still alive. Her eyes stung more insistently though her stubbornness aided her in not giving in.

Slowly the tension eased out of her as she stared out at nothing. The cottage was dark and quiet, meaning both her dad and uncle were asleep, the horses were grazing content in the paddocks. The peace of it all seeped in to replace the dissipating stress.

At his apology she shook her head a couple of times. "Live and learn, right? I'm glad I went, anyway. I don't think I could stand to have another death on my conscience."

A few beats later Moira froze. Did she really just say that out loud?

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on February 28, 2019, 11:46:32 PM

When Moira didn't immediately tear into him for his recklessness and risking their lives and all that, Figaro let himself relax a little more. They were okay and maybe that's all that mattered, maybe Moira really didn't blame him. It was a comforting thought. This wasn't the first time he'd dragged Moira out into the city on some ill-conceived errand. If he was honest, tonight's endeavor wouldn't mark the last either.

But what? Figaro furrowed his brow and pulled away. Close now, the full moon lighting everything up, Figaro could see every line on Moira's face. What was she talking about 'another'?

"What are you talking about? What do you mean 'another death'?"

They should go inside. Or Figaro should go home. But Moira looked like she'd seen a ghost. Figaro pulled his jacket closer around him and waited for a response.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on February 28, 2019, 11:57:20 PM

Figaro pulled away - why was there so much concern written on his face? - and the night air seemed much colder than before. At least Moira had finally stopped shaking.

"No. It's nothing. It was a long time ago. I was a child and it was an accident."

How many times had she heard that? Not your fault, just an accident. The horse panicked, you couldn't have helped that. Except she caused the panic. It's not your fault you didn't go with him, it was inconsiderate of him to even ask you! If she went maybe she could have saved him.

Moira blinked, looking up at Figaro again. Still there. She was tired. She glanced towards the giant tree not too far from the cottage then back to him.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on March 01, 2019, 12:30:44 PM

Figaro followed Moira's gaze to the large gnarled oak, its branches creaking in the wind. The two Hufflepuffs really hadn't started to get to know each other until the previous summer, but Figaro felt like he'd gotten a good idea about how much Moira talked about herself. She rarely offered it up on her own, and said only exactly what she wanted to. This, of course, in sharp contrast to Figaro's never ending cascade of Too Much Information. He scratched the back of his neck and looked down at Moira, unsure of what to do. His curiosity was nagging, but it seemed out of line to question her on it.

"Do you..." he proceeded cautiously, "do you want to talk about it? I mean, whatever happened, I'm the one who dragged you out. You're alright. Right?"

They were both tired, he knew it. But even if he wanted to, he wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep. Not at least until he calmed down.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on March 01, 2019, 06:35:06 PM

Talking to people had never been one of Moira's strong points, especially when it came to her emotions. Showing, and sometimes admitting, that she had them made her feel incredibly vulnerable, a state she actively tried to avoid.

"I don't need to tell you how stupid all that was." Judging from the hug alone he had a good idea. Anyone else might have ranted and raved to make him feel worse so they could feel better. That wouldn't help anyone.

"I'm alright." She would be. Neither of them were physically harmed and while it was her first run in with a werewolf it was not her first brush with death.

Moira ran her fingers back through her hair again. "Shit, Fig. There's a werewolf in the middle of London."

As if it were yesterday, Bagnold's words again echoed in her ears.

             "Aye, so long as you do the same," he said matter-of-factly.  "If you notice something odd, whatever it is, send word.  Kurby Bagnold, Level Four."

When Moira had first agreed to it the idea that she ever would run across something 'odd' had never crossed her mind. She really didn't want to mention what happened tonight to anyone, but regarding this she was honor bound.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on March 01, 2019, 09:52:40 PM

And it was gone. Whatever had nearly escaped Moira seemed to disappear. She'd just put it away, scolded him (deserved), and changed the subject. Figaro wasn't really in a mental state to keep up with that, he was still wrapping his head around the implication that Moira had, what, accidentally killed someone when she was a kid?

But he had his answer. If she'd wanted to talk about it she would have; this wasn't like on the rooftop badgering her about her meeting his mother. Figaro wandered a way just a few steps, unable to help looking out at the massive open space and so very different from the tidy city park.

"Yeah," he blurted out, trying to leave behind what Moira didn't want to talk about.

"What are the chances? It was in the Prophet," he said answering his own question. "Uh, St. Mungo's had a statistic. Like more people are injured by cows in a month than werewolves in a year or ..." he trailed off. That wasn't the point. He started trodding off towards the cottage where he sat on the steps.

He opened the vodka bottle with a pop. It had also survived the close call.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on March 01, 2019, 11:08:52 PM

Moira stood and watched as Figaro put distance between them. During her years at Hogwarts the movement would have delighted her. She did appreciate him not pushing her on the subject but she would rather not see that look in his eyes.
Wordlessly she walked over and sat down beside him and stared out into the night, not saying anything at first.

"I was almost five. It was April of 1998, the Second Wizarding War would be drawing to a close the following month. Not that it meant anything to me at the time." Moira didn't know why she was telling him this. In her whole life she had only told one other person, and that was because she had a complete meltdown.

"We had a pen, just there, with a stallion in it. The day was nice and I wanted to go say hi and pet him. Made sure he knew I was there." She stared at that spot where the pen had been, almost transported back to that time. As the paddocks had been improved on the pen became unnecessary and was taken down several years later.

"I'm still not entirely sure what happened, but suddenly he spooked and couldn't get out. His hoof struck my head, knocking me back against the fence. My head hurt and my vision was darkening as I stared up at his flailing hooves and suddenly my mum was there between me and that stallion. She tried to calm him down but... he struck her several times, got her head much harder than he had mine. I passed out shortly after but not before I watched her die."

Shaking her head she reached over and took the bottle of vodka, taking a swig before handing it back.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on March 01, 2019, 11:26:50 PM

Slow, sleepy, coming down from a scare, Figaro needed a second to realize that Moira was telling the story. He looked out at the grassy path in front of them, trying to listen.

Moira talked about what happened so carefully. Step by step, just enough detail that he could almost see the oak with its spring leaves and the dreamlike shade of some unimagined horse - mostly a chaotic sort of energy. She didn't say that she was scared or that it hurt or that she was sad. Moira just told him what happened.

Moira told him how she'd seen her mum die when she was only five. Figaro felt frozen and sad and honored and awkward all at the same time. He didn't know what to say. But that never stopped him before.

He took the bottle and took an uncommitted sip.

"That's terrible. Do you miss her?"

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on March 02, 2019, 04:55:06 PM

Hearing him talk Moira took her eyes off the empty spot and glance sideways towards him. "Honestly, I don't remember her. If not for the photos I wouldn't even know what she looked like. I don't know, it's like my world started over when she died. It's hard to remember things when she was alive, but I remember some things from after. I miss the idea of her, I think, but then my uncle wouldn't have moved in."

There was a chance Duncan still would have taught her everything he had, tips on cooking, how to track and not leave a trail, how to swim... might have been left up to her mum. It would have been very different. She couldn't really imagine a world where her mom had lived and her uncle lived somewhere else.

Except for a chorus of crickets singing in the grass, silence stretched out between the two of them though there was no discomfort in it.

After a few more moments Moira glanced over to Fig, "I have to tell Bagnold about the werewolf."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on March 02, 2019, 10:00:51 PM

Figaro didn't know what more to say. Moira didn't seem to need his sympathy or comfort. All he could do really was be there. And he was. So instead of attempting to fill a silence or find words for something he couldn't relate to, he just nodded. Seeing your mother die like that, to feel like it was your fault, what could he do other than listen? Probably the best comfort he could give Moira was to just keep treating her normally, he realized. A rare wisdom, maybe.

He sipped at the vodka, mostly from the nerves, and after a bit, Moira broke the silence.

Figaro stared at her. It would take a little while longer before Fig got used to people knowing who Kurby Bagnold was. Kurby was his family's weird adopted uncle or something who was just around. To Figaro Kurby was one thing but he was also now Fauna Blake's colleague and Moira's ... something? It wasn't bad just ... worlds colliding at a funny angle.

"Why? No, we don't have to," he fumbled a little. "We should report it, yea, but we can do it by owl. Anonymously."

There wasn't much at all about this evening that Figaro wanted any 'adults' to know about. Going out on a full moon, sticking his nose into Ministry business, getting bold with proprietary Daily Prophet information. And even though Kurby wasn't an Auror, his mother's words and smacks-in-the-mouth were tingling: Don't Talk to Aurors.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on March 03, 2019, 01:45:33 PM

Moira couldn't blame Figaro for his reluctance. Telling any part of what happened was, in her mind, less than ideal. Out for a walk in the middle of London during a full moon? Anyone who heard that would have serious questions about her mental health. Or it could be passed off as teenage stupidity. With any luck, the head of the WCU would be discreet.

"You're right. We don't have to do anything. I'm the one who made a bargain with Bagnold back when he visited the farm." Moira half suspected the older wizard had forgotten all about it. He hadn't forgotten about her hiding something during his questioning, though. Either way, she remembered and, for this particular instance, couldn't ignore it or report it anonymously.

"Have some faith, Fig. I don't mean to tell him anything more than is necessary." That at least she was good at. All she needed to do was figure out what she would say and what half-truth she would go with. Before she told the hunter and he found ways to call her out.

She knew her friend's reputation with the Ministry was hazy at best. Moira planned to do her utmost to leave him out of everything.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on March 03, 2019, 02:04:22 PM

Figaro was aghast. He rubbed his face in his hands and groaned.

"What bargain?" he demanded. "Maybe you and Kurby are like besties now but have you ever tried to lie to him? It's not technically possible. Lovely bloke. Absolutely sweet man, Kurby, but there's not a way this turns out with me not getting in trouble."

Nineteen was a funny age. You were grown and on your own and there was no such thing as detention. But every other adult in the world still had seniority and you still needed their help sometimes so yea, Figaro was reasonably concerned about getting in more trouble.

"What are you going to say, Moira," he asked wearily. "It's the middle of the night."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on March 03, 2019, 02:17:16 PM

Moira snorted when he used the term 'besties'. That was more than an exaggeration. At best she and Bagnold seemed to be on neutral ground.

"He agreed to let me or my family know if whatever or whoever killed that man in Edinburgh was found. In return I am to let him know if I notice anything odd. A hungry werewolf running loose falls in that category."

Shaking her head when he reminded her how late it was she looked to him again. "I know it's the middle of the night. I have to be up at five thirty, Fig. I'm starting to consider not going to bed at all." How much coffee could sustain her before she had to rely on the potion, she wondered?

"I try not to lie, too easy to get found out that way. I'd probably say something like 'a werewolf was seen in the middle of London at Reagent's Park'. You're name won't even come up." If she did go tonight there was the hope that urgency would be called for and further questioning would be forgotten, until later when she wasn't so tired.

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Figaro Sellaphix on March 03, 2019, 03:29:49 PM

Figaro stared at Moira for another moment then gazed off into nowhere. Moira really did have some weird deal with Kurby. Fig remembered back in October when he'd visited with the talking jack o' lantern and Moira saying that Kurby had to rule her out of a werewolf attack because she was a wolf animagus. He rubbed his face again.

"Good luck with that," he said in resignation. It was the right thing to do: London had to be warned. Figaro really just didn't have the best luck keeping his name from 'coming up'. He couldn't help but worry his fingerprints were going to be all over this. Maybe he had it coming. He really had gone half-cocked on this one.

He stood up with a sigh and nodded towards the door. "Can I go in? Hafta piss."

Title: Re: [Dec 10] Something from Nothing
Post by: Moira McBoid on March 03, 2019, 05:29:28 PM

Moira felt Fig resign before the words left his mouth. It was strange how a simple shift in energy could sometimes be so profound but so unnoticeable if no one was paying attention.

Nodding at his request to go inside she answered, "Sure. And if you don't feel up to traveling home you can borrow the couch." She had borrowed his couch, his parent's anyway, once so it only seemed fair. Except her house wasn't empty, her dad and uncle were asleep inside.

Moira watched her friend go inside and waited for both doors to shut before getting to her feet. Pulling out her wand she prepared a message for Kurby Bagnold[1] then sent it off to him with her patronus. Hopefully they found the beast quickly before anyone could get hurt.

Suppressing a shudder she put her wand away and also went inside the house. Maybe a few hours of sleep would be better than nothing.

Finished

1.	"A werewolf was spotted in London at Reagent's Park a very short time ago. It should still be in the area."