Absit Omen RPG

Having just come back from visiting friends, Shade overheard someone talking about the group coming to the pub tonight.  Since he'd laid off any alcohol consumption while he was driving around on his motorcycle, he figured he was about due for a drink... or four. He didn't really know if there was a certain sort of code to dress like when you went to events like this, since he'd rarely been to any, but he figured that his outfit wouldn't stand out that much.

When he entered the pub, he headed straight for the bar and ordered a beer, just a regular beer. Shade knew his limitations and he could handle a couple beers before moving on to the 'specialty' stuff.  If he chose to do so tonight.  'Merlin the place is packed', he thought to himself as he managed to find a single seat near the wall.  Claiming it for himself, he downed half his beer and started to look around to see if he knew anyone that was here tonight.

He did a double take when his eyes roamed over the patrons by the bar, he could of sworn he saw Theta Pepper standing there, but again, the place was so crowded, it might be just his imagination.

Shade had showed up at the beach kind of late to the party.  He had changed his mind a few times about coming since he only knew a few of the people that were going to be there.  He had apparated in a little while ago and made his way towards the tents and hesitated a second before going in.  He only knew a couple of the people there, so he took the initiative and sat down a little ways away from Theta.

He waved at her to say hi and then looked around the tent, he knew it was a birthday party. Evidently the birthday person liked felines.  He didn't really know what to do, he didn't bring a gift, so he had to figure out if he was expected to bring anything.

Shade was kind of glad he'd showed it to someone else. I mean, showing it to a girl was one thing, but showing it to a guy friend... well that was just something he could be proud of.  He grinned and let out a laugh when Fig embraced him in a manly hug.  It was to be expected, after all. Guys and their toys... it just had to be appreciated.

He watched as Figaro walked around his bike and then asked him where he got it.  Shade tensed for a minute, trying to remember if he told Monty he'd keep the circumstances of his purchase a secret. He couldn't remember so he just replied, "There's an American company that makes them... cost a pretty penny though." he told his friend.

Upon hearing Fig's whistle of appreciation, Shade grinned even wider.  It was nice to be friends with someone who enjoyed the same things for a change.  "So, I believe you wanted a lift?"   He asked his friend as he moved past him and began to push the bike out of the hiding spot he had it it. 

Sitting on the bike, he started it up.  He knew it wasn't going to make a loud noise, as most muggle motorcycles did, there was a noise dampening spell on the engine.  "Hop on and we'll go for a spin." He wasn't sure where he would go with Fig, but he figured they would figure it out eventually.

"Alright," Shade began as he was led out of the pub by Figaro, "But we'll have to go to my place, I couldn't just leave it lying around." Luckily, his place wasn't too far and they were there in less than 20 minutes.

"Okay, here goes." he said as he moved a hedge out of the way with his wand, and then removed the charm he had hiding his bike.  "Here she is." He walked around it and waited for Fig's reaction.  He'd had the bike for a while, but he still got a thrill every time he saw it.[1]

1.	I know it's short, sorry

Shade chuckled at Fig's comment. "You haven't changed much since school have ya?" he said and finished his drink off.  Looking back at his drawing, he realized that he was as far as he was going to get today and began to put his sketchpad and pencils away into his bag.  Once he was done he turned to Fig.

"So, what do you have in mind then?"

Shade took a drink and looked at his friend, leaning back on instinct as Figaro leaned in close and asked him if his bike was a flying motorcycle.  He kept silent for a moment, not sure if he wanted to tell him that it was.  After all, in school he was known for his pranking and general trouble-making.  Now that he worked for the Prophet, maybe he didn't want his bike to be general knowledge.

"What would you say if I said that it was?" Shade said smirking at his friend.

Shade put down his pen and took a drink before looking around to see where the voice was coming from.  Smirking, he noticed Figaro Sellaphix coming towards the bar and settling on the stool next to him.  He raised one eyebrow as he said, "No, definitely not dead. Where'd you hear that anyway?"

He turned on the stool to face his former school-mate.  "I've been travelling around, not dead.  I bought a motorcycle. Nothing much new except that." 

He took a drink, "What's new with you?"

The Shade sitting at the bar in the Leaky Cauldron was not one you would of seen at Hogwarts, or even a year ago.  He would of never brought his sketchpad out in public where anyone could see him draw, and he most certainly would not of even owned a leather jacket, much less ride a motorcycle at all.  Yet, here he was, sketching whatever came into his mind (currently it was a unicorn with fiery eyes and a flowing mane of fire as well), his new leather jacket around his shoulders, and a cold butterbeer sitting in front of him.

He was truthfully hoping he'd run into someone from school.  He'd been off travelling with Monty for a while and had lost touch with the few people he actually liked talking to and when he came back, he decided that it was time to stop being the lonely 19 year old sitting in his apartment. His only companions being his art supplies and a steady stream of both butterbeer and alcohol.

So focused on the detail of the mane of the unicorn, he didn't notice that someone had walked in and sat down beside him.

Shade was kind of at a loss when she voluntarily followed him out of the party and then underneath the tree where his bike was.  The only other girl he'd ever been this close with was Chloe and that seemed like forever ago.  He hadn't really been looking for something after they parted their separate ways. 

Shade began to blush as she mentioned how beautiful his bike was and then asked if it was her father's design. It took every ounce of courage he had to admit, "It's his bike, but it's my design.  I drew it and he built it."  Why she was making him nervous, he didn't know, but he wasn't going to leave like he would normally do. 

He watched her admire his bike and he couldn't help but smile, it was nice to have appreciation from someone other than his sister and her father for his artistic talents.  He didn't even expect it most of the time anymore, so he relished every bit of praise he got when he got it. 

"You ever had a passenger?"

The question caught him off guard, he didn't answer right away, the blush on his cheeks still there from her compliment of his bike.  "Um... no..." he finally said when his brain began to work again.  "Then again, I've only been around the bike with your father and that would be a tad weird to have him holding on to me from behind." he chuckled at the thought of that.

"Would you like to go for a ride?"

Shade had the decency to look slightly ashamed when Theta put two and two together about his motorcycle.  He'd tried to hide it really, but she was Monty's daughter, she was bound to find out sooner or later.  He just hoped that she wouldn't let on to her father that he'd totally given it away, mostly because he'd never been too good at hiding things from people.

"I'd appreciate the assistance, thank you." he said and led the way to where he'd hid his bike in a shaded area under a short-ish tree that would of hidden it a little on it's own if not for  his charm hiding it from the rest of the wedding guests.  "I knew it, I've never been good at the disillusionment charm at all." Sure enough when he reached where the bike was, the lower half that wasn't hidden by the leaves of the tree was standing out for anyone to see.

Shade's immediate reaction was to blush.  He had hoped that there would only be acquaintances here, not someone he had actively entered into a conversation with.  Certainly not someone he had talked to not long ago.  "H-hello, " he began, stammering a bit at her noticing his attire.  "Um.... thanks, I guess." Why was he being shy all of a sudden, he wore a dress to a party where he barely knew anyone. 

"Neat party." he said and then mentally smacked himself.  What kind of conversation starter was that?  Of course it was an interesting party, what with everything starting with a 'P', "I mean, I've never been to a party like this before."  And there it was again, his mind blanked for a moment, "Oh, I didn't ride here in this, I transfigured it from the shirt I was wearing. Wouldn't want people to see me out and about like this, especially your father, he'd never let me live it down."

He smiled at her and then watched as she touched his dress, "It's all the craze in London this year." he said and then attempted to strike a pose, but failed dramatically and almost tripped on the hem of the dress.  "I'm always seeming to fall when there are pretty girls around." he muttered, but it wasn't quiet like he thought it was.

Shade played with the glass he held, "Not lying really.  I didn't pay much attention when he was talking about the cars, so I don't know about them as much as he thinks I do." he said, giving up and dropping the 'I don't know anything' act.

"I admire your father, he's a good man." Shade said, he really did too, he was exactly the kind of mentor/friend he wanted.

He was going to say something else, but the charm he'd placed on a simple keychain began to vibrate meaning the disillusionment he had placed on his motorcycle was going to fail, he'd never been really good at that charm.

"I've got to go hide my means of transportation, I wouldn't want your dad to get in trouble." he told Theta.  "We should talk some more, maybe grab some food sometime..?" he trailed off, unsure if she would want to.

Shade just grinned at her teasing, "If we come across a muddy puddle in the middle of the dance floor, I promise to let you navigate it on your own, promise." he said with a slight smirk.  He'd never actually been teased about how he acted towards the fairer sex.  His father had drilled it into his head from a young age that ladies should always be treated with respect.

Leaning against the bar, forgoing the idea to sit on a bar stool, he looked at her as she casually asked if he had been with her dad in California.  He remembered Monty's words that he wasn't supposed to let them know so he just smiled, "I have no idea what you are talking about Ms. Pepper."

"I may have visited your father, but I know nothing about a car business."  and it was partially true, he hadn't really paid attention to the car part of Monty's business, but he knew quite alot now about the motorcycle side.  So he wasn't lying, "As for the tan.. I tan easy?" He knew that last comment was lame and he made it sound like a question, he knew she would figure it out sooner or later.

Shade chuckled as he watched the girl's younger sister run off and then turned his attention back to her.  "Glad you're having fun." he told her, then he heard her other question.

"Have you… did you just get here?"

He looked around as if making sure no one was listening.  "Yes I did just arrive, had to chat with your father about something.  But I'm not supposed to let anyone know how I got here." he winked at her.

"I'm Shade, it's my pleasure to meet you.  I've heard alot about you and your family from your father."

He turned so that he could start walking in the direction of the refreshment table.  "I'd love a drink, but since I almost dropped the first one, how about you grab them this time."

And in a move that he swore he was completely never going to do again after his last relationship fizzled out, he offered her his arm, "Shall we m'lady?"

Shade finally looked at the waitress and smiling he asked, "Could I just have a cheeseburger?" He didn't know what they had here, so he decided to play it safe with what he ordered.  You could never really go wrong with a burger.

His attention turned back to Monty.  "I'm not sure what I want to do.  I mean, I love being an artist, but there doesn't seem to be one thing that really fits my style that I've found yet.  I think I'll just have to keep trying new things until I find it. " He took a sip of his beer.  "A road trip does sound nice though, it would give me time away from England for a bit.  I've always wanted to travel some.." he trailed off.