Absit Omen RPG

Rufus, in all of his days at Rover's, had never been this busy. Mixers, Quidditch Tourneys, included. Ríona and Pádraig had their own hands full, Rufus taking on the role of bartender amongst his busy bodied coworkers. Kind smiles and warm eyes as pints, plates went every possible direction.

Naturally, this meant he also needed back ups and so, who better to ask to his cousin to help in the midst of her enjoying the concert. His eyes searched for Addie with little success, but it wasn't needed to be quenched as another person came to the bar end, requesting another drink. "Right on it, guv."

---

Addie was depositing the rounds closest to the gaggle of current and former Hogwarts classmates when they all caught her eyeline. She instantly lit up upon seeing Zeta and Theta, a twinge of regretful nostalgia filling her. How long had it been since she'd really seen them even? Rufus would have to make deal for a spell, now wouldn't he? Stuffing the bar tray underneath an armpit, Addie approached the Hogwartian tables with a wide grin, warmth radiating from her all over.

 "I'll have a martini. Osha? You want one?"

"Just a chocolate stout if they have it..."

Addie quirked a brow. Chocolate stout, they had, and well -- martinis? Here, at Rover's? That would definitely get some eyebrows raising in no time at all. "Chocolate stout, aye," Addie began, hoping it was all right she'd inserted herself to take the start of the order, "but y'sure you're wanting a 'tini? I'm sure Mudslides are going to be quite better, but need ta see some identification too. Safety protcol an' all."

A nod to the rest of the table.

"How about the rest of you lot?'

"She'll be even more cross, methinks, if you don't let such a beauty inside this house like a proper gentleman ought to. Mm." Her lips curled upward, leaning forward ever still. "How's about a compromise? Let me in and give you a kiss. After all, you look a great deal better than you did last I saw you, lovey."

A hand extended for to grab the window frame and pull herself through it as if this were some Wonderlander adventure with the house feature. Once through, Addie stood tall enough - blast Thatcher being taller than her still yet - and surveyed the room before landing on her boyfriend's features anew. Yes, he looked a great deal better than he had.

"Looks like what bit you in the Spring finally decided to make its way away from you. I'm glad. You had more than worried on one occasion, I hope you know." Genuine worry and half frightened of losing someone else who meant the world to her. But Arrow had fought back too and well, seeing his brilliant smile and his sharp wit back truly made Addie grateful.

"Super have missed you. I'm glad to see you again."

There was something inherently wonderful about the summertime. The heavy laden weights of winter were long since forgotten, spring and its nefarious habits of bestowing sneezing attacks and runng noses were no longer the terrors. No, the blistering of the sun and the cool of water, the scents of fresh cut grass and newly fallen rain. Seeing glowworms and fireworks, eating barbecued meals and enjoying one's company with friends, loved ones really felt more intimate in the summertime.

And this excursion to Arrow and his massive homestead was no less than an opportunity to expand on such happy thoughts. True, there had been some stormy clouds previously for the couple, namely her trying to justify and comprehend as to exactly why Arrow had felt the need to glamour himself. She'd felt betrayed of sorts, feeling as though he needed to hide himself even through it all.

Naturally, the sensation of dishonest and distrust had filled her mind for a small spell. She worried he'd end up himself hidden away or some terrible fate would fell him like it had Matteo. However, Addie worked on the negative headspaces and came to justifying with sound reasoning versus foolish reasonings.

He deserved another chance, an another opportunity, did he not? And so, with such thoughts to fill her anew, Addie was armed with hope, positive resolve, and a small suitcase. Alfie was going to pupset for a little while and she promised to actually pay him this time.

A pop! and she apparated to the back doorstep, soon moving towards an open window. Addie took note of his smile, looking at his peaceful expressions, and feeling slightly bad about how she'd treated him as of late. He looked happy. Good. "Oh, pretty boy~" she cooed, peering into the window. "I'm hereeeee~."

Sometimes, friends had to ignore the more gossiping parts to the Prophet and had to investigate for themselves about their own friends and their well beings. Said well being on this particular day was finding a shop that sold good mac and cheese alongside their meats. After scrolling through the different reviews on her mobile (something she hadn't anticipated in owning fully, but who cared now?), Addie was on her way to Alex's place.

The bag clearly had enough food for more than two, but Addie was fairly certain that Alex was hungry for good food and for company that didn't have to do anything with old hens clucking away at the latest bits. She whistled on the way there and once ascending to the location, knocked.

A basic 'hello' that was also a rough translation of 'go away' would surely slip along when Alex saw it was her former schoolmate. The door opened and Addie's grin was wide and warm for Alex, hoping iy was able to give some cheer.

"Hello, hello~! Special deliveries for one A. Cooper." The plastic bags were raised and shook in an offering sort of way. "Courtesy of one A. Delacroix, at your service."

Addie watched him closely, curiosity piquing within her, trying to figure out what angle was Arrow was trying to play at, considering all. Needless to say, she felt partial pity but partial anger because Addie wasn't certain what to do through all of this.

Her wand lowered slowly as she continued to listen to him hacking away, the pity taking over from the anger. A sniffle. "Gods, Arrow. You need medical attention more than you need to making sure my Valentine's Day needs are met. Do I need to get you to Mungo's? Or do I need to contact my grandpere?"

She stood there, wand not quite lowering but definitely not directly aimed at his face like it had been moments before. Addie noted that he - Arrow, yet not - looked and sounded like hell had run him over several times. She was alert, fidgety and prepared for the possibility of wandless magic retribution.

Eyes stayed fixated upon him, preparing for anything, every possible inflicting reaction. Addie blinked anew, still anticipating a deception when his pleas seemed to get through to her. If this was indeed her boyfriend, then why his face a little different than normal?

A smirk crept to her lips.
He used beauty products?
Oh, Merlin..... this was rich, indeed. A small chuckle with his inquiry. "The day? It's of course when St. Valentine was beheaded or thereabouts. OR. When Eros sends ridiculous little cherubs to ping lovebirds with arrows."

It wasn't uncommon much anymore to Adelia Delacroix to have silence prevailing in her daily life, especially considering the extended period of said silence regarding Matty's absence.  That said, it was something to be had in discomforting uncertainty when a significant other had been promising a Valentine's time spent together and here it was, leading up to the day. Absolute silence. No owl, no Floo. Nothing.

Sensations of unkind thoughts and worries began to prevail, causing Addie to pace and become an alarmist. What if this was happening all over again, like the last time? What if Arrow ended up .... missing or worse? This wasn't like him at all. He was extremely clever at surprises but he also was excellent at communicating with his girl. This perpetual cycle of mental sabotage continued for a few hours before she made the decision to go and find him.

Alfie was at her flat in no time and with it, she was off to Arrow's mansion, half hurt and completely scared that something was genuinely wrong with the wizard. Her arrival and calling of his name normally would have sent her into deeper frenzies but she took note of the petals.

Eyebrows raised, Addie took that as a sign that he had to be here somewhere in the mansion. She ascended the stairs, looking for any signs of problems. Luckily, nothing. Once to the bedrooms, she called out his name again at each door before entering the one with the slightly ajar opening. "Arrow? Love?"

Approaching the bed slowly, she held her wand steady, recollecting lessons learned from father and son Storm. Bottles of Pepper-Up. Was he not feeling well? "Arrow?" she spoke once more, a hushed tone before a small shriek of surprise. "WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU!?"

Her cheeks went an instantaneous rosy colour when Arrow called her ravishing. Clearly,  Addie wasn't too used (still yet, her conscience argued) to such affirmations. And that was ever still working at her place of employment. Pup and mum followed Arrow back towards the couch, smiles all still there for both.

"Thank you, dear, for your compliments, and for this vacation. It's been a bit since I, we've enjoyed such a trip with one another," she began as Marmy gave her usual kisses to Arrow, causing Addie to grin wide. "That said, it seems to me she's more interested in kisses than realising D-a is on the way to p-i-c-k-u-p while we are g-o-n-e."

Marmy looked to Addie with a confused expression before eyeing Arrow with a tilted head. As if she had some sentinent ability regarding what Addie had just remarked, spelling included. "I'm sure you've picked an amazing place again."

Addie and Marmy were in the midst of finishing up a bath for the pair, getting ready for the vacation for the pair of adult figures in Marmy's life. Everything was situated inside the suitcase, but it was clear Marmy wasn't too happy in some regards that she wasn't going on this excursion.

Addie had bribed her with all the Arrow pettings and excursions once they came back. The pup had been fairly unconvinced, that much was clear, but clearly caved in with the added promise of perhaps a journey back to the Thatcher manor and with it, endless runnings in the gardens.

Once properly laundered and smelling pleasant anew, Addie dressed quickly into a sundress, leggings, flats, and shades. "Well? What's verdict? Do I look good?" Addie inquired to the dog gnawing away on their toy.

An approving yip.
Good. Addie grinned. She eyed the clock. "You reckon he's here yet?" The knock came as an answer and with it, happy yips and the chocolate coloured ball of fur zoomed off towards the door.

She had been a madwoman shopping at the last minutes of Christmas. A madwoman trying to shop in not only Muggle London (an awful idea and unnecessary evil, one that she would not be repeating, Addie had determined) but also in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley. Addie had made it home and currently was utilizing wandwork and sipping cocoa while Christmas records played in the background.

A few of Arrow's gifts were in wrapping process when the tapping of one window got Marmy barking animatedly, causing Addie to go off to the window. Opening the window, she ushered the owl in, giving it a few owl pellets and water before it was allowed to fly back to Arrow's place, soon reading the note.

Marmy gave a bark and whine, making Addie to eye the pet in an instant. "You're fine, you brat. Now. I'm sorry but I've got to go to Arrow's and no, girlie, you shan't be going with me," Addie remarked, flicking her wand to finish the gifts she currently had wrapping to finish before moving them and the others to the bedroom, into the closet. Marmy followed up until she realised that her owner had no plans for her to wreck the gifts. "If he wants you ta come, we'll come back and get you, I promise, love," Addie reassured, squatting down to rub the crup mix's ears before rising to her feet a moment later. "So long, fare thee well, pip pip cheerio -- I'll be back soon," she sang before apparating.

SNAP!

Addie headed to the front door, his owl message in hand, reading thereafter Arrow's next message. The sound of music, eh? Julie Andrews or....? A chuckle as she heard the music in the background, following its enchanting melody soon enough until she arrived to the next clue....

The echo of the door shutting had made Addie jump slightly before listening to her boyfriend's remark about the house. She'd had always imagined that Arrow had a small flat or house, nothing too fancy nor too gaudy. She was rather shocked to be honest. The place reminded Addie of her maternal grandfather's chateau in France. Massive, capable to take people in for a holiday. Mm. What to think....say, even. Arrow was waiting for a response. She looked to him in surprise.

"It's.....rather...." large, massive, how did you afford THIS? "impressive. When did you find the place? It's rather empty, but I'm sure you're going to fix that, yes?' she replied, smiling soon enough. Taking his hands, Addie leaned up, kissing him briefly. "I've really missed you, what with work keepimg me busy ninety-five percent of the time."

Thank the Lord for a long weekend away from her workplace. She was dressed in jammies, eating leftovers from the takeaway Thursday night, watching the telly whilst Marmy snoozed away. The promise ring was snugly secured on her hand - she'd become fiercely protective of the ring ever since becoming its partial owner.  She was in mid-bite when the tapping against the window nearby made her yelp in surprise, waking the pup up in an instant.

Marmy went for the sliding door and Addie gave brief chase, pushing Marmy away with her foot, allowing the owl safe haven before any Muggle caught on. "Here...." Addie remarked, grabbing a cereal bowl, filling it with water before placing it on the counterspace for the owl. "There you are, mate." Mac Tíre's grateful hoot came right as she pulled the  note from his leg. Unfurling the message, Addie grinned.

"It would seem, Lady Marmalade, yours truly has been invited to meet with Sir Celt. What say you? Go and see this house?" Marmy barked her affirmation and with it, Addie went to the sliding door, coaxing the owl back outside to the wild. Mac took the hint,  taking to the skies. Shutting the door and locking it, Addie went to get dressed.

.  .  .

Thirty minutes later, Addie was in jean shorts, sandals and a tank, heading to the house. An apparition crack in the alleyways of the flats caused birds to give flight as Addie disappeared in thin air. Reappearing about a mile away, Addie groaned but began walking towards the address she'd memorised. Eventually, the place came into view.

The ruddy hell....?!
Was her boyfriend loaded and keeping mum about it all?

Her feet were throbbing slightly as she made it to the front door. She picked up one of the brass rings and slammed it against the wood. Awwwwwkward.

Language Warning

Addie stood there listening to everything that Arrow had to say, being patient and attentive. And yet... she was humbled, baffled, honoured, and frankly, scared shitless just a bit about it all. His words made her recollect about when Matty gave similiar promises and vows - that had ended in heartbreak at its finest, hadn't it?

She calmed and steadied her ever pacing brain and smiled as he finished his promise to her. Faithfulness. He'd never really been one to mention faithfulness to their own relationship in the past, eh? But now.....Arrow was quite the opposite.

He was curious about this. Completely so.

Leaning upward as her feet rose slightly off the floor, Addie placed lips against his for a tender, sweetened moment before pulling away with nothing but happiness swelling within the confines of her heart. "Arrow, darling... this. I am utterly touched by everything you've said to me. This is unexpected and more than this, meaningful." She pecked his nose in retribution for the ring against hers. "I love you and I would be honoured to wear this ring you've offered."

She wasn't mad, far from it. About the ring, that is. Confusion and curiousity would be the more appropriate feelings that she currently felt about finding the ring. Who knew? Maybe it was just a memento from his own past. Maybe it was a promise ring, though Addie doubted that option for the most part. That final maybe stayed within the confines of her head as she turned around to say something further.

But his wish to explain and that look on his face quasi confirmed that final maybe. Hm. Walking up to her extremely good looking Irishman (he looked especially so when as vulnerable as this - no rug and tug look, more so a genuine, warm even as he knew more than she did at this point look), Addie smiled warmly at him as she extended her hand, presenting the ring back to Arrow.

"Go-ahead. I'm all ears, love."

Wait, what?

Addie was taken aback from Arrow's inquiry. As though it seemed he were grilling her about the facts of her love life with Matty. Surely he realised that the trailing off voice that he was gone, that Matty wasn't going to be involved with a marriage any longer.

She snickered out of place at this thought. Arrow would likely question that internally, but Addie didn't honestly care about that at the moment. "End of the story is that the Ministry didn't offer up any resolutions or answers regarding what happened with Matty. So, uh....Marmy and I made due. I found a new job versus going into the Ministry myself. Until I met you.... I didn't go really for another guy. I couldn't really. Sure, flings happened but it was never real. Not like you. You and Matty are the only guys I've fallen for."

Standing up again, she moved away once more, walking towards the kitchen. A glint of light hit her eye, causing her to stop. Wh-wh....at? What was THAT? She kneeled down and saw the ring soon enough. Her hand plucked it up, fingers running against the band.

"Uh.....Arrow?"