"Ah... Shite... Shite, shite... Bloody shite... I'm late." Kale abruptly let out a string of curses the moment his eyes found the clock on the break room wall. It had been a bit of a crazy night thanks to a surge of bad, and unfortunately popular, love potions used in chocolates that caused violent and unending vomiting of rainbow hued sick. He had been called in to help on the third floor, as one of the few 'unspoken for' healers still available, and had worked almost 4 hours past his shift.

Normally this wasn't a big deal. All he had to go home to was an empty house that still faintly smelled like Ruby, so Kale was more than willing to normally throw himself into his work. The problem was that tonight wasn't normal. Not because it was Valentine's day per say, but because he had promised a friend that he would go with him to some 'speed dating' event at Madam Puddifoot's. Scratch that, it was just Puddifoot's now. It had undergone some sort of modernizing transformation after the 'Madam' in question passed away. He just hoped that it didn't become like all the other commercialized, corporate run 'romantic' spots in the muggle world.

Either way, he was several hours late and hadn't given a lick of notice. To be fair, he hadn't had a chance, but that excuse wasn't going to fly. He just had to hope that the event was still going by the time he got there. Scribbling his signature on the last little bit of paperwork, Kale practically tore off his lime green robes and traded them up for a crisp white shirt, dark jeans and a beaten brown leather jacket. Not the most dashing look for a romantic night, but he didn't have much time to spruce up. All he could hope for at this point is that he didn't smell like the pot of gold at the end of the vomit rainbow.

A few minutes later, he had successfully flooed himself to Hogsmeade and made his way through the crowds of gooey eyed couples towards the most popular spot of the evening. Upon entering, Kale was surprised to see that the changed made to the cafe were... quite pleasant. Gone was the 'I fed sparkly things to a cherub until he exploded' decor, replaced with the feel of understated romance that only a cozy cafe could provide. There was a pretty brunette in the corner, dressed like the cross between a Victorian lady and a caricature of a fortuneteller that muggles loved so much. Her sign said "Couple's readings" and the line was nearly out the door. Kale turned his attention to the bar where something held the rapt attention of a handful of young men.

Leaning against it, he looked over in time to see the wiggling rear end of someone trying to dig something out from the lower cabinets. It was most certainly NOT the hindquarters of the late Madam and Kale found himself admiring them for a moment before coming to his senses. He wasn't here to pick up woman, or at least stare at their assets, he was here to meet his friend, who was lost in the crowd. "Um... Excuse me!" He said over the din, eliciting glares from the other men at the bar, who were undoubtedly enjoying the view as much as he was. Ignoring them, he went on, "Excuse me... miss? Is the speed-dating event still on? Miss?"

It might come as a surprise to most that Pandora Puddifoot was without escort on Valentine’s Day, but let’s be clear that this was by choice and not by some cruel twist of fate. If the gaggle of men gathered around the witch was any indication, Dora had more than enough suitors to pick from. It was simply that the proprietor of Puddifoot’s had no time for dating. The shop was down two employees, and with only Madam Rhiannon and herself to man the shop, Dora was exhausted. Constantly. Thankfully the interview with Miss Carter had gone quite well, and they’d be bringing her on staff soon, but until that happened, Dora was one busy witchling.

Anyone that knew Dora, however, would know that the witch had love potion for blood so a totally unromantic holiday was completely out of the question. When approached about using Puddifoot’s for a charity speed dating event, there was no way she could refuse, especially when it gave her a chance to meet new people too! The event had gone quite nicely, though truthfully, none of the guys gave Dora what she was looking for: that spark of life, that instantaneous burst of longing that brought two people together. Would it last a moment? Would it last a lifetime? It didn’t matter, as long as you cherished every moment in between.

An unpleasant (and almost wolfish) growl escaped her throat as the witch struggled to produce a tin of fresh Chamomile Lemongrass tea from beneath the cabinets and even after she found it, Dora hesitated. Should she also grab a tin of Formosa Oolong? It wasn’t a huge seller, but the display was running a bit low and they were so busy she wasn’t sure when she’d have another chance to refill the containers. With a light shake of her head, Dora left the latter and brought herself back to full height just in time to hear yet another love drunk man yelling for her from across the room.

It was times like these that Dora wished her aunt had never left the place in her care.

Dora turned her head to respond to the man when she retracted all negative thoughts about owning the shop. There, standing right across the way, was the most striking man Dora had seen in quite some time. She hurriedly placed the tin upon the countertop and crossed the short distance to where he stood. “I’m sorry sir,” she said, then cringed inwardly. Polite customer service did not help one to flirt. “you’ve missed it by a couple hours and I’m afraid we’re about to close down for the night. How about a cup of tea, on the house, for your troubles?”

Perhaps Dora wouldn’t be dateless on Valentine’s after all.

Perhaps it was because it was closing time or perhaps it was because they knew they couldn't compete with Kale. Or maybe it was just because she was so bloody fit. Whatever it was, the moment the head of the owner of that fine figure popped out from behind the counter and their eyes met, the other patrons just seemed to disappear.

"Um... Hi..." Kale managed weakly, his brows shooting up in surprise when he was completely caught off guard and off his game. This was definitely not the Madam Puddifoot HE remembered.

“I’m sorry sir, you’ve missed it by a couple hours and I’m afraid we’re about to close down for the night. How about a cup of tea, on the house, for your troubles?”

It seemed like he wasn't the only one flustered by the ripple of electricity that filled the air between them. Her response was polite and businesslike on the surface, but Kale could tell that she was trying to slide the vocal equivalent of a number on a napkin under the veneer of good customer service. At this, his confidence resurged and he relaxed. Leaning against the counter and cocking his head, Kale let the corner of his lip curling into a flirtatious smile as he said, "I don't know... Does that cuppa come with pleasant company? I couldn't possibly drink..." He eyed the can in her hand and continued smoothly "... Formosa Oolong, all by myself."