Muggle London was filled with people running about. Noise was everywhere. Aureliane was happy. Enjoying herself. She liked noise. Sometimes she could deal without all the people but she liked them too. The different shapes, sights, sounds. It was relaxing. Something normal she could focus on. It was Friday night and the world was alive. Not wanting to be stuck at home, Aure had convinced Cyrus that they should go out for dinner. Have fun. Dance the night away. Or do something. She was tired of staying in the apartment. She didn't want another quite night trying not to feel guilty as her oldest friend prayed that she remembered that they were supposed to be in love.

Aureliane just wanted to have fun. She wanted to forget that she had forgotten her memories. She wanted to not worry about the future and just enjoy the moment. She wanted to have fun with Cy, like they had as teenagers. So she suggested they had dinner at a popular tavern. The boiling pot. It was muggle with just a hint of magic. It also helped that they knew the owner's daughter, Ciarra. The sound of a bunch of tv's washed over Aure as she pushed open the door. Warm air washed over her, brushing away the cold.  It was busy but not over crowded. It looked like fun.

Over her shoulder, Aure sent a wicked grin at Cyrus.

"See it isn't too crowded," She tossed her curls, she'd taken the time to battle with them till they were sleek and glossy. She also had put on a new dress under her heavy bright red coat.

At first it had been relatively easy to keep a positive outlook on the events going on around him.  However, as time past it became increasingly harder for him.  Cyrus barely slept anymore, most of his thoughts consumed at night with the single most dreaded thought.  That the Aureliane that loved him was gone forever.  It wasn't like she was a completely different person.  No, she was still the same Aureliane that he loved with all his heart.  But the memories that should be there...the ones where they became so much closer.  The ones where she had become his wife.  They were just gone.  And someone had been the cause of that.

They knew that there had been an outside force that had manipulated her memories so the cold hard truth had been all that Cyrus had left.  There was no way to get those memories back.  Because someone had taken them.  How could he possibly move forward with a smile knowing that the one responsible was out there...somewhere.  And possibly still keeping their eye on Aureliane.  When she had left for that job...whatever had happened there that had led to her going missing.  That was where the key to finding the culprit was.

Cyrus was torn in two directions.  Half just wanted to keep Aure safe.  The other wanted to chase after the individual responsible.  Either way...he was at a standstill.  He felt that all the actions he took were the wrong ones.  And there was the ever growing fear in his gut.  That every single day that passed he was losing Aureliane.  He didn't know how to act anymore.  He couldn't help but go through motions that had been so familiar before.  And now he felt like touching her or coming to close to her was something out of bounds. 

Aure was grinning at him as they entered The Burning Pot.  She commented about the crowd as they came in.  She wanted to go out and have fun, to dance and eat out.  He admit that he maybe had been playing things safe because of the fears he had.  But Cyrus wasn't sure how he should act or feel anymore.

"Hey, welcome to the Burning Pot.  I'm Elaine.  Can I get you two a booth," a girl with honey blonde hair approached them with a couple menu's in hand. 

"Yeah that would be great," Cyrus said with a slight smile and followed Elaine with Aureliane towards one of the booths in the corner where Cyrus sat on one side. 

"Can I get you two something to drink for now?" Elaine asked.

"Just some water for me thanks," Cyrus said as he averted his eyes to the menu that Elaine had handed him.  Cyrus felt so lost at the moment.  He felt at any moment he could lose everything he ever cared for.  Trying to explain that to Aure would be pointless, and incredibly selfish.  He didn't want her to feel guilty.  It wasn't her fault...it was whoever the bastard was that had taken the memories from her.  So it left Cyrus in limbo, unsure of how to act...or even how to live his own life.

Now that they were out of the apartment like normal people Aure wasn't sure that it was a good idea. If she was honest with herself, things were strained between her and Cyrus. She didn't know him anymore. Not really. She knew the boy not the man. She wasn't sure how to treat this older Cyrus. Sometimes she had to catch herself because she'd find herself starting to talk down to him, or treat him like a teenager when he wasn't.  She didn't know how to reach out to him.  So she tried to ignore it.

Aure followed behind the waitress, smiling at the bubbly blonde. So carefree. One day she would be that person again. Aure slid  across from Cy as the waitress asked for their drink orders. She definitely needed something stronger than water now that she'd realized that this might be a mistake and her earlier optimism had deflated.

"Irish whiskey please," She said smiling appreciatively at the girl. When she left an awkward silence enveloped them.  Silence seemed to follow them everywhere now days.

"So, how's work?" Lame. She always asked that question. She needed to come up with something else before she turned into a parrot.

"Work isn't bad.  Nothing too different than the ordinary.  Cases aren't as big as they used to be, but that is definitely for the best," Cyrus fought off a sigh.  "Most of it has to do with some rumor going around the office.  Something about an unsolved series of murders.  Not sure what that is about.  Bet Ciarra's Dad knows a bit about it.  I'd rather not get myself involved in a murder case though.  It be nice if that was never really necessary."

What was he going on about?  Was he really so incapable of acting normal that he couldn't even have a conversation without being somewhat negative?  He really did want to enjoy his time with Aureliane.  He loved her so much, but now when he looked at her it was as if both of them were looking at different people.  Cyrus was reminded of his own failures.  Not being there to protect her...and that she may never love him again.  And for Aureliane...it had to be like she was looking into the past.  The two of them had moved into the future together before...but for her it was like she was just seeing the end result.  She didn't know how the story developed them to get to that point.

"I'm sorry, Aure," Cyrus said suddenly before he could stop himself.  "I guess I just haven't been sleeping well lately."

He wasn't used to sleeping in a different room than Aureliane.  And it just called attention to how comforting he found it for her to be by his side now that she was in another room all together.  He wanted to let go and become his teenage self again and really enjoy himself.  Maybe he should have something to drink instead.

"What about you?  Feel strange to be at work again?"  Cyrus asked.  She had been at work for a while now...but he hoped she was coping well.  There was probably things she remembered but didn't know from where.  Moments like that had to be disorienting.

"Work isn't bad.  Nothing too different than the ordinary.  Cases aren't as big as they used to be, but that is definitely for the best," Cyrus fought off a sigh.  "Most of it has to do with some rumor going around the office.  Something about an unsolved series of murders.  Not sure what that is about.  Bet Ciarra's Dad knows a bit about it.  I'd rather not get myself involved in a murder case though.  It be nice if that was never really necessary."

Aure leaned back as she listened to Cyrus...what? Complain? Moan? Listlessly describe the work that had once been all he had talked about. If there was one thing Aure remembered about Cy, it was the young boy who had craved adventure, who had thrown himself into danger just to feel exhilarated. He'd wanted to be an auror since he was a kid. She'd often teased him about it as they lay on the roof of the apartment complex watching the clouds. He had this grand ambition to protect the world from evil. And yet now he didn't even want to be on a murder case. Not that he should welcome murder, but he'd once been energized about being able to solve murder, just to bring justice for those left behind. Hadn't he? Aure wasn't sure anymore. Maybe that was just Cyrus the boy and not Cyrus the man. She didn't know this person before her. Hadn't she changed from the little girl she had been? She wasn't the same person. No one was.

"I'm sorry, Aure," Cyrus said suddenly before he could stop himself.  "I guess I just haven't been sleeping well lately."

"Are you alright?" Aure asked concerned, her hand reaching across the table to gently touch his. It was an automatic gesture. She'd pulled back awkwardly when she realized what she'd done. Not that there wasn't a no touching rule between them but it was strange. She saw the hope flash into his eyes and other emotions when she'd absentmindedly touch him in a variety of everyday gestures. She'd stopped herself when she noticed how it affected him.

"What about you?  Feel strange to be at work again?"

Aure shrugged her thin shoulders as she thought about the question. How was work? A mess. "It's like being in a reoccurring dream. Everything is so familiar and yet not. I feel like a first year associate all over again. But I love it. Just have to build up my skills again," and her confidence, but she didn't say that. Aure did like her job but there was something missing. She despised the deja vu feeling that often sprang up.

Funny how such small gestures she did so naturally but she didn't understand why.  He couldn't even imagine what it would be like to not even know how you personally felt when your head told you one thing and your heart another.  Cyrus had to constantly remind himself that regardless of how it might be hard for him it was infinitely harder for Aureliane.  But despite that he didn't feel like himself.  Cyrus had been turning down assignments to make sure he was close to home or able to bail out if something happened with Aureliane.  So when Aureliane looked at him so curiously, about his words about his job, she knew there was something different.  She just didn't know that she was the source for the change in him. 

Cyrus had always liked Aureliane.  Even when they constantly fought as children he did so because of his own inability to speak what he felt.  And more so because he didn't understand why he constantly wanted her attention.  Years passed and the boy who craved adventure finally had his eyes opened.  The woman who had been there with him when he finally realized what was so important to him was the one sitting across from him.  The one that now retreated when she did something that was once familiar but now is incredibly foreign to her.  So Cyrus felt he needed to do something drastic.  No there was almost no other choice.  He had to act, he couldn't continue to sit around and wait.  Plus even if nothing happened he was sure that Aureliane would enjoy herself.

He didn't answer her own inquiry of his own well being.  Answering it would mean bringing about the subject that already hung in the air around them.  And there was no point on focusing on that.  It would only lead to an argument and he didn't want that.  The doctor had also advised him to try not to upset her as it could cause undue mental strain.  He wasn't sure he understood all of that but he never went out of his way to upset Aure anyway.

Cyrus only had the cold hard facts in front of him.  His own wife didn't recognize the man he was now.  She didn't remember the struggles they went through in their relationship.  The arguments and conflict that they had faced.  Nor did she remember the moment that she had fallen in love with him.  It had been a moment that Aure had clearly remembered.  But now those memories would never return.

"I'm glad to hear you are enjoying yourself," Cyrus reached into his pocket and slid over an envelope to Aureliane.  "I was going to wait til later on in the evening to give this to you, but I think it might be better to start it off instead.  Well that is if you want to go...I can understand if things are too busy and you can't get away." 

Inside the envelope was a pair of tickets to a getaway resort in France.  A place the two of them had been before.  Aureliane had always wanted to go there, so when they had finally done so they had a great time.  Unfortunately it was part of the memories that had been erased from her.  It isn't every day someone gets to do something for the first time twice.

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying yourself," Cyrus reached into his pocket and slid over an envelope to Aureliane.  "I was going to wait til later on in the evening to give this to you, but I think it might be better to start it off instead.  Well that is if you want to go...I can understand if things are too busy and you can't get away." 

The thin envelope stood against the dark table tops. It looked like a tiny white flag, an offering of peace, or perhaps surrender. Aure stared at it her eyes wide. She hadn't expected a gift from him. Going out was enough. A shiver traveled down her spine as she wondered what could possibly be in the envelope. She loved traveling. Seeing new places, exploring. She had a list of things she wanted to do, places to go, cultures to explore. She'd started the list when she'd been a kid. Hell, Cyrus had helped her compile it when they were little.

With shaky fingers, Aure took the small square and opened it, pulling out two tickets to a French Resort. An eyebrow lifted in surprise and she smiled up at him, her eyes dancing.

"You're a miracle worker, truly. I've always wanted to go here, I'll find a way to get a few days off. Soon," The impulsive risk taker inside of her wanted to leave that very second. Forget about obligations and the adult life, but she couldn't leave so soon and neither could Cyrus. They'd have to put in for leave, get permission.

"Have you been there before?" She asked suddenly, wondering how Cyrus knew of the place. Had he taken another woman there? A little bit of jealously made her stomach churn. She ignored it. She wasn't jealous. It was just her stomach protesting. She hadn't eaten in a while. Yes that was it.

"Thank you," She said again with a smile. "I wish we could go right this second and leave everything behind"

He was never sure how he was supposed to respond to this.  If he said no then he would be lying to her...but if he told her the truth then it may just make the whole situation awkward.  Still he had always been as honest as he could be with Aureliane.  It was just sometimes it was best to say nothing at all.  This time though, he wanted to tell her the truth.

"I have gone before," Cyrus said pausing for a moment.  "It was with you."  He knew that when he told her things like this there was a bunch of assumptions that could be made.  Like he was trying to jump start old memories or trying to find a way for her to remember.  He knew better than that.  You don't get back memories that aren't there.  And when someone messes with your memories with magic...there is no getting them back.  He could show her those memories in a pensieve...but that wouldn't make her feel anything for him again.  Watching a different version of herself doing actions she couldn't remember doing.

"It isn't fair that you've gone to some of these places on your list and you don't remember doing it.  So I thought we should just start over from the top and work our way back down.  You should see them in the order you wanted like you had planned so many years ago.  We can go any time, whenever you get the time off," Cyrus gave her a warm smile.  There were so much more he wanted to burst and say to her.  There would be no point in that though.  It was all unnecessary. 

He needed to forget about all of that, he had a rare chance, didn't he?  How many people get to date their wife a second time and be able to fall in love with them all over again?  That was how he felt he should look at it.  But his mind would never let him forget what they had been before Aure had gone missing.  His mind also wouldn't let him forget how he had failed her.

As if on cue, the waitress Elaine showed up once more placing an Irish whiskey in front of Aure and a glass of water in front of Cyrus, "You two ready to order?  Or should I give you more time?"

Cyrsus looked to the honey blonde girl, knowing he hadn't actually looked at the menu, "I'll have the fish and chips.  You ready to order, Aure?" 

The happiness Aure had felt, the little fission of excitement popped. She'd been there before. Frustrated welled up in her. She closed her eyes willing herself to remember. Maybe if she tried hard enough the memories would flood back. But it was useless. Pointless. The healers had said that her memories had been magically altered. Practically removed from her mind. There was no getting them back. Wasn't there a whole ward full of people at St. Mungo's as living proof. She was just lucky she hadn't been left addled brained. Wasn't she? Sometimes she didn't feel lucky and she wondered if she would be better off if she didn't have a clue who she was. Missing a chunk of her life was just so damn frustrating. She forced her eyes open but she didn't look at Cyrus. He was trying so hard to be nice to her. To take care of her. Sometimes she wondered why he stayed. It was obvious he cared for her. She wasn't an idiot but she wondered why he loved love her. Worried that she wouldn't love him back. She vaguely remembered the feelings she had for him as a hormone crazed teenager. He'd been her wild partner in adventure back then. Her best and oldest friend. They'd had passion. Stealing kisses, sneaking out, just laying on the roof talking for hours, sometimes the entire night. But that hadn't really been love. Had it? It had just been teenage feelings. Strong and bright and quick like a flash fire. She'd been sad to leave him behind that summer but she knew that he couldn't come back to France with her. She'd had that summer and while it hurt for a while, she'd moved on. Cyrus Vandailer had been a cherished memory. At first she'd written but they both hadn't been very good with letters and when the war started up again it was difficult to communicate. Then they'd graduated and they drifted apart, both consumed by their chosen career paths. That was where her memories ended.

"It isn't fair that you've gone to some of these places on your list and you don't remember doing it.  So I thought we should just start over from the top and work our way back down.  You should see them in the order you wanted like you had planned so many years ago.  We can go any time, whenever you get the time off," Cyrus gave her a warm smile.  There were so much more he wanted to burst and say to her.  There would be no point in that though.  It was all unnecessary.

Her attention was drawn back to Cy. He was utterly serious. He'd go with her to Rome to eat their weight in pasta. To China to walk the great wall. To the Rain forest in South America. To every place on her list? A part of her was hesitant, unsure if she wanted to experience things again. She wanted the old memories. To remember the first time.
"You two ready to order?  Or should I give you more time?"

The waitress saved her from answering, giving her a few minutes to come up with an answer. She hadn't a clue what she wanted to eat.

"I'll have the fish and chips.  You ready to order, Aure?"


"ummm bangers and mash please?" She said saying the first thing on her mind. Was it even on the menu? If not she'd get something the waitress recommended.

When the waitress had gone, Aure smiled at Cyrus, curious. "Where do you want to go. I feel like everything is about me lately, we should explore a place you want to. And don't say you want to be anywhere that I am. There has to be somewhere you'd like to go I haven't put on that list."

Yeah, sure.  Maybe at some point in Cyrus' life he had wanted to travel across the the world and see so many different things.  He wanted to see America, Japan, Ireland, China, Russia...there was no particular rhyme or reason for his reasons either.  Only that he wanted to wander.  Because most of his life he had spent just seeking a shallow idea.  To be a man of justice in the world...going around and doing good for others.

His eyes wandered off looking towards a pair of couples on a double date that were playing a game of pool on the other side of the room.  "I had the most idiotic ideas when I was growing up.  See the world and help anyone that needed it.  I was so driven by that thought and got only support from my family and my friends.  And you told me that it would be great if I was able to do that.  I could go on for days about the things I want to see.  Like a baseball game in America...or the first few days of spring in Japan when the Sakura trees begin to bloom.  Maybe the ancient castles around the rest of Europe that hold a lot of history.  The pyramids of Egypt or even going to the Opera house in Australia."

He sighed heavily but avoided looking back to Aureliane.  He no longer cared about any of that.  None of that mattered, and it was impossible to explain why that was.  How could he explain that he was afraid?  That the person that had hurt Aureliane was still out there...somewhere in the world.  And his dream of helping people in need had already died inside of him.  When he had failed to protect the woman he loved...well, nothing seemed important anymore.

His inner turmoil only bubbled up further to the surface.  How do you continue on when the woman you love doesn't even seem to recognize your face?  Despite his optimism he usually had in his life...or his ability to laugh things off, this was something he could not do it with.  He loved her...no matter what happened that would never stop being true.  He needed to put on a face...needed to show her that he could be strong for her.  Cyrus knew she needed the support, even more now than before.It was worse for her...he knew that.  He couldn't continue to feel like he was the only one suffering because then he would simply be running away from the problem.

"But Aureliane...you should remember this.  My desire to see the world and adventure came from you.  When we were kids it was always you that I would end up with.  And when it came to dreams...it took me time to figure out but I eventually knew what mine was,"  Cyrus saw as the group date of people began to laugh and smile.  "All I ever wanted was to follow you.  To make sure you got to see everything you wanted.  That was what became my dream.  And even in our time apart when we had gone our separate ways into adult hood, that never really changed."

Cyrus looked to Aureliane finally knowing that he was saying way too much, "That summer we dated.  We might have decided to end together but I regretted every day I hadn't fought to stay with you.  It was years later when I was able to finally correct that mistake."  Cyrus shook his head and looked away from her again.  "Sorry, I'm doing it again.  Hearing about all of this doesn't help you.  In those years we were apart all I realized that the adventure and world wasn't really what I wanted.  I wanted to do those things with you.  I just wanted to see you."

"I had the most idiotic ideas when I was growing up.  See the world and help anyone that needed it.  I was so driven by that thought and got only support from my family and my friends.  And you told me that it would be great if I was able to do that.  I could go on for days about the things I want to see.  Like a baseball game in America...or the first few days of spring in Japan when the Sakura trees begin to bloom.  Maybe the ancient castles around the rest of Europe that hold a lot of history.  The pyramids of Egypt or even going to the Opera house in Australia."

A wistful smile tugged on Aure's full lips as she leaned forward. She'd always liked listening to him speak. Sometimes she'd been content to just sit next to him and listen. She hadn't realized she'd missed that until that moment. She missed just being his friend without the pressure of the ever present question of did she or could she love him back. In her mind she could picture the places as he described it. The urge to just leave everything behind welled up in her again. She didn't like being tied down. A part of her resented the ties that kept her in England. Just a bit. She wondered why she had decided to marry. What had made her want to settle down at all. What were the reasons? There had to another one besides love. What had made her give up her freedom? Because that was what happened when one married. One compromised for their partner, gave things up, created new dreams. It was just that Aureliane wasn't sure how she had done it. What had happened to her that made her ready for marriage? She wasn't sure that she could handle it. She was obviously botching it now. Anyone looking at Cyrus could see the strain. For the first time in a while Aureliane really looked at the man across from her. There was a bleakness in his eyes, a sadness that hadn't been there before. Or so she thought. The hope she had seen in the first few days of reuniting with him was gone. He wasn't the always happy, jovial person she had known all those years ago. He was just serious and something else. She wasn't entirely sure but she was sure it wasn't good. She didn't like seeing him so distraught. Nor did she like being the cause. If she could suddenly remember or fall in love with him that second she would, just to erase the pain. But saying the words wouldn't solve anything. Not really. She had to be sure before she told him what he wanted to hear or she might just hurt him worse.

"But Aureliane...you should remember this.  My desire to see the world and adventure came from you.  When we were kids it was always you that I would end up with.  And when it came to dreams...it took me time to figure out but I eventually knew what mine was,"  Cyrus saw as the group date of people began to laugh and smile.  "All I ever wanted was to follow you.  To make sure you got to see everything you wanted.  That was what became my dream.  And even in our time apart when we had gone our separate ways into adult hood, that never really changed."

It made her uncomfortable to hear that she had always been his dream. That she had shaped him so much. She didn't want him to base everything on her. One day she might not be there and then what? What would happen to him then? What if she hadn't returned? What if she'd died or something? Where would he be now? Even more lost, forever searching for her? He needed more in life than just to follow.

"That summer we dated.  We might have decided to end together but I regretted every day I hadn't fought to stay with you.  It was years later when I was able to finally correct that mistake."  Cyrus shook his head and looked away from her again.  "Sorry, I'm doing it again.  Hearing about all of this doesn't help you.  In those years we were apart all I realized that the adventure and world wasn't really what I wanted.  I wanted to do those things with you.  I just wanted to see you."

Still, it warmed to hear him say how much he had cared for her, how it had affected them when they'd broken it off as teenagers. At the time she thought it was the right thing to do. She hadn't wanted to tie him down, knowing that she wasn't going to return to England any time soon.

She smiled at him, her heart flutter a little bit, she bit her lip before blurting out, "It helps Cy. You probably told all this to me before when we met again. I thought I was doing the right thing breaking things off but I thought of you too. I'd find myself comparing every guy i dated with you... I loved you then... but I'm just not sure if it's more than just teenage love. My parents had that and then it went away. I don't want to make the mistakes my parents had. I don't want to hurt you," She said softly, squeezing his hand. She let out a deep breath.

"I didn't drag you out here so we could be all depressed. I want to get to know you again. Start fresh. I want to date you Cyrus Vandalier...." She said with a saucy smile.

"So has your favorite color changed?"

Cyrus' life had been spent with him seeking adventure on his own.  Often times he was left to his own devices to do whatever he had pleased.  Especially as a child.  His parents always encouraged his adventurous side of him.  But at the same time, Aureliane had always been a part of his life.  And he didn't realize just how much she had been a part of it until he was much older.

His Father had put it in the most appropriate way.  "The Vandalier family has a long history of adventure and excitement, so no doubt you will have that in your life.  But us men in the Vandalier family almost never love more than once.  So when you find that person things will be different.  You won't lose your sense of adventure or the need to explore.  However, you'll want to share those experiences with the one you love."  Cyrus knew very little of his parents past, but he did know that his Father had gone through quite a lot of ordeals before meeting the woman that would become Cyrus' Mother.  His Father was often referred to as the Mystic.  He wasn't sure what that meant either.  He'd always wanted to find out.  Which would mean going to Egypt to find the origin of that name.

Cyrus let a smile come over his face and he looked up at Aureliane.  What was he doing?  He was so focused on what had happened to her and how he had failed her that he forgot something so basic about who he was.  If the answer couldn't be found here then there was only one option.  To travel and find the place where that answer was.  Plus not all the experts on memory charms were in London.  There was many other places he could travel to.  Even if he had to take some time away from his job, he was sure that eventually he would find something important. 

"You're right," Cyrus spoke finally.  "I didn't mean to bring down the mood like I did.  I think I just have to adjust a bit."

He playfully moved his hand over his face and made the biggest and probably stupidest looking grin he could before he laughed.  "My favorite color? Well it is obviously blue.  Why else would my room be covered with it?  Remember when I painted my wand to try and make it look cooler when we were kids.  I mean we couldn't do magic over the summer but when I got back to school...I don't think I told you, but my magic was misfiring a lot before I realized that the paint actually affected the wands capabilities.  I was so mad I had to scrap that paint off."

"You're right," Cyrus spoke finally.  "I didn't mean to bring down the mood like I did.  I think I just have to adjust a bit."

Aureliane smiled reassuring at him. Really, they both needed to adjust. They were stuck in limbo, both trying to awkwardly move around the other, neither wanting to hurt the other. It was a tiring dance and Aure wasn't sure what would end it. Her moving out? That would hurt them both. Aure liked him a lot. He was her oldest friend and she was glad that they had found each other again, but he wanted more than a roommate. So maybe she should move out... Aure pushed that thought out of her head. She could think about that later.

Instead she returned her attention to Cyrus.

"My favorite color? Well it is obviously blue.  Why else would my room be covered with it?  Remember when I painted my wand to try and make it look cooler when we were kids.  I mean we couldn't do magic over the summer but when I got back to school...I don't think I told you, but my magic was misfiring a lot before I realized that the paint actually affected the wands capabilities.  I was so mad I had to scrap that paint off."

Aureliane laughed, her head throw back as a hearty chuckle burst out of her chest. She'd sat next to him shaking her head, and then encouraging him when he'd painted the wand. "Well your color could have changed. I've gone threw several favorite colors. It really just depends on the season, and my mood."  Aure glanced up when the food arrived and she thanked the waitress before turning her attention to Cyrus.

"What kind of misfiring? I once blew up a Christmas duck at one of my father's dinner parties. I must have been thirteen, I was so peeved that I was required to sit at the children's table. I'd wanted to interrogate this old lawyer. Needless to say, I wasn't allowed to continue my questioning." 

The food had arrived but Cyrus was already starting to feel a lot better mood wise.  So the smell of the fish and chips had more than a positive effect on him.  "Yeah I could see you doing that.  I can imagine the look on your Father's face actually," Cyrus chuckled a bit.  He had seen Aure's Father a number of times so it was easy to imagine.  "For me...well...I blew up the couch in the common room.  Luckily I got it quickly repaired thanks to some of my friends."

"That was just the first incident.  I mean I had no idea it was because of paint...who would think that something like that would ruin the wand's ability to channel magic?  It wasn't until I blew up a tree and sent it crashing down that the Headmaster actually started laughing at me when he saw what I did to my wand.  Easily one of the most embarrassing moments in my life.  He told me what I had to do and I spent like the next few days getting every tiny bit of paint off my wand," Cyrus shook his head.  He had never been too detailed oriented but the amount of detail that he had to go to to make sure every speck of paint was off the wand was more than he ever cared to again.  "Of course the Headmaster said if I felt like sprucing up my wand I should just go to the wand maker."

He took a drink of water before taking the first bite into his fish with a nice helping of tartar sauce on it.  His eyes widened, "This is really good.  I guess Ciarra's Dad really does know how to run a restaurant."