Around Noon

Roxanne waited for Johann at the Ministry exit, ready to head out to their usual muggle diner. She twisted her ring around her finger, shivering slightly, it was still freezing cold outside and she couldn't wait for spring. Since she normally apparated to and from work, she usually never brought a coat. Today would have been the day to bring one. Her Ministry robes normally kept her warm, but those sat at her Welcome Witch Podium, unable to be worn in Muggle London.

Her hat tipped back, grazing the wall next to the door. Her stomach growled, it really wanted a hot sandwich or a nice soup. It crawled its way up her throat. She took a sip of water from the bottle in her purse to wash it away. Roxie spotted Storm coming off the elevator. She gave him a look and waited for him to see her standing near the door, she waved her hand a bit. Jane had eaten all the granola bars, so when Roxie was rushing out the door this morning, she left empty handed, shouting for someone to pick up a new box if they went out today.

Now, cold and hungry, Roxanne knew she'd be spending a bit more on lunch today than usual. Hot chocolate and an extra side dish would boost her diner bill. She played with the clasp on her purse, looking inside, hoping she had a meatball slider inside.

Roxanne waved to him as he strode out of the lifts and through the atrium, which was not as busy as it was first thing, but still full of people going back and forth. He raised his hand to wave in acknowledgement, his scarf looped round his thumb as he did. His wool coat was slung over his arm, and he wore his usual working attire of a suit and shirt with no tie. Today, it was navy blue, with a pale blue shirt beneath - one might assume that like Gunter, Storm also looked forward to Spring.

"Sorry, had to file some court papers before noon." He apologised over the heads of the last bunch of people between him and Roxanne. Once they had passed he extended an arm to touch hers briefly in friendly greeting.
"You're looking…" His brain searched for a suitable word - lovely, this close to Valentines had become risky, gorgeous, even higher risk, sweet, patronising, "… pretty" he chose, safe enough. Considering the weather outside didn't cross his mind, his coat was pure habit.

"Usual place then?" He asked her, heading towards the way out to the street above, tone chipper. He tugged his scarf around his neck and threw on his coat. It wasn't until they stepped foot on the pavement that he had a thought about her warmth. He contemplated his coat with an awkward pause, and realised that due to the height difference it would almost swamp Gunter.

"Do you want my scarf or something, it's not the warmest out here?" He asked, reaching for it.

Thankfully it was only a couple of minutes round the corner to the place he'd had lunch at not long ago with Aisling, and before that shared a cup of tea with Francis in, where he'd discovered its convenient location. He and Roxanne escaped once in a while to it over lunch, and other times he'd terrorise her as she worked over his lunchtime, just to come and people watch and intercept purple memos cheekily.

The two friends walked arm in arm sharing news about others in the Ministry,
"Caught something of it on the evening news that night, some sort of shaky piece of film which must have been shot on a telephone," Johann was referring to the incident of a flying car[1] the previous Sunday, "Did you hear much from anyone at Magical Accidents about it?" He asked Roxanne.

1.	I Fixed Your Car

“Thank you. You look rather pretty yourself.” Roxanne complimented Mr. Cheekbones, linking her arm in his, her arm warming up wrapped around his coat sleeve. “Usual place works.” Roxie replied as they stepped outside, denying his offer for this scarf. It was only a short walk anyways; she could handle a little cold air. Her stomach purring, waiting to be fed.

Her tall work companion mentioned the incident with Edwin Glass’ car. “It appeared to be the buzz of the Magical Accidents Department. I heard the story on the WWN and I couldn’t believe it. But when I got to work on Monday morning, the stack of important paperwork in need of immediate delivery on my podium confirmed that there was, indeed a flying car fiasco.” Roxanne thought about how her feet had hurt in her heels after running about the entirety of the Ministry building on Monday.

“That Monty Pepper better be careful next time he attempts to repair a flying car.” The subject came to a halt as they entered the diner and were lead to a small booth by the window. “I have no clue how many people are going to have a little ‘work’ done on their heads, if you know what I mean.” Roxie made air quotes with her manicured fingers, wiggling slightly at the thought of oblivations. She would never want her memories to be taken from her, ever.

"I've heard tales, you know," Johann spoke quietly across the table to his good friend, "of when the obliviators get it wrong." His expression conveyed the fear and fascination of the subject. His greatest fear was to lose his own memory, which is why he made it a personal point to know each of the obliviators by name and try to glean where they preferred to keep their wand. He was just a little paranoid to say the least.

"Mu- People who just-" he lifted his hand with closed fingers beside his temple and then burst them open with a pop from his lips, "lose everything. They don't know who they are, where they are. Worse still, it can be almost as bad as a dementor's kiss - they're like vegetables." Despite being indoors and the one who had been dressed more warmly he shivered.

"Still, one incident of a flying car, considering it got all over their new as a publicity stunt or something, doesn't require much modification I'm told by some on Level 3. Apparently these days, such things are more easily explained naturally by their communities and their love of conspiracy." He elaborated, and glanced at the menu card sandwiched between some special offer leaflets. It looked the same as last time.

"But I'm sure someone in the building is taking advantage of a flap over a car to slide something untoward about the table or under the Minister's nose while everyone is distracted. Good way to busy bad news. Heard anything, my well connected lunch companion?" He asked.

A wave of chills went down Roxanne’s back. She couldn’t bear to have her mind wiped. She cherished every aspect of her life, whether it be a bad work day or a good day on home. “I never want that to happen to me. I’d rather spend a month in Azkaban that be Obliviated or kissed by a dementor. The entire thing gives me the willies.” She admitted. Taking her hat off and putting it on the seat beside her.

“If it is a publicity stunt, it’s not a very good one. I think it’ll be more trouble than it’s worth when it’s all over. Even if muggles create a conspiracy around it.” Roxie added, her eyes catching the specials, same thing every time. Not very special. “I haven’t heard a peep about it other than the mounds of paperwork, and I wouldn’t want to hear about it. No evil plotting going on in this head.” She tapped her temple for effect.

Johann and Roxanne’s lunches mostly consisted of eating, talking, and observing, and Roxie spotted quite a card on the other side of the diner. “New bus boy, just picked up a waitress’ tip.” She said, leaning a bit to get a better look at the guy. “Jerk.” She said, watching as he stacked plates and cups into a plastic tub. She knew what she was getting already and didn’t bother to look at the menu, but she grabbed it up to make it look like she was studying the meals not to arouse suspicion.

“I know I say that people watching is creepy, but it’s really good for character development.” She dug around in her bag for a small, leather-bound notebook and a pencil. She opened up to a page with a sketch of a young man. Jock was the protagonist’s best friend in her novel. “He has the perfect nose.” She erased a few lines and grazed her stylus across the paper. “He’d pick up a tip too.” She added.

“I think I’m getting really close to the perfect ending. You think you could read the draft when I’m done?” She asked her friend, jotting down a few notes next to the sketch and putting the notebook back in her handbag like it had never made an appearance.

"Ugh, well, perhaps you better tip her off." Johann remarked, turning his head just enough to see over his shoulder and spy the man in question. Certainly a symmetrical face, none too awkward on the eye, not overweight, but perhaps a little stocky.

He looked back to his friend and tilted his head,
"I've nothing against people watching, to the point I encourage it," Johann smiled at Roxanne, "but you know that, you watched me for quite a while before we were introduced." She began to sketch out, her hands moving quickly over the paper, and he fell silent, raising his chin just enough to peer at her work all the better.

"Of course, I'd be delighted." Johann grinned at the prospect. Reading didn't phase him, and it gave him something to do when sleep stayed away and he resisted finding an apothecary open in the early hours of the morning. "I can read it incomplete, if you wanted to be ahead of the game, see if there's any inconsistency you can explain neatly or ... make fine use of, in the final chapters?"

His eyes glinted with expectation. He'd heard snippets of this tale from Roxanne during their times together, and he was curious. He'd met Dolly St James, a rather prolific author in the wizarding world, by chance in Hogsmeade in the early days of his life in Britain, and had managed to read through her collection of published works in the time that had followed. More recently he'd enjoyed the works of Rascal Rosier which had kept him guessing. Some called his works incomprehensible, but Johann believed the reviewers had simply become lazy in the literature they read, and didn't like a challenge.

"Sorry, you'll have to let me know when, and what I'm reading for. You might lynch me if I edit - the team on Level Five do, so I wouldn't blame you. If he's a perfect fit for the best friend then-." Johann thumbed over his shoulder without thinking only to stop mid sentence as the bloke in question appeared beside him.

"We've not ordered yet, no tips to pick up." Johann explained cooly, and smirked to Roxanne.

Roxanne was caught up in her sketch, she pressed her pencil down a little harder on the paper until the thickness of his nostrils was adequate. "Thanks Joh, I'd love that. I'll print you out a copy and give it to you tomorrow. Edit as much as you like, I'm perfectly open to critiques." She wasn't lying either, every time Roxie showed a sample of her novel to someone they'd nod and smile saying "It was good." Roxanne didn't want good she wanted criticism, she wanted her final draft to be perfect. "I'll give her a double tip, don't feel much like yelling at strangers at the moment." She said with a quirky smile, tucking her sketchbook back into her purse.

Joh smirked at Roxie and she had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep from smiling. "You are an inspiration to us all Johann Storm." Roxanne giggled lightly, picking up her menu and quickly deciding what she wanted. "I guess I'll run in the snow this weekend because I really want the mac and cheese with a big mug of hot chocolate." She could taste it already. "Maybe I'll even order dessert." She said, raising an eyebrow.

Sometimes it was really hard to be the healthy one of her roommates. She needed to keep Jane from drowning in toaster pastries and pop by leading an example, but when Jane wasn't around, Roxie would sometimes treat herself for being such a good friend.

"I did watch you, you have very interesting cheekbones." She said, reaching across the table and poking him in the area of question. "I am also still intrigued by your curly hair." Roxanne paused and put down her menu. "What did you initially think of the first time you saw me. I'm not being vain, but honestly, did you think you'd be sitting in a diner with me once a week staring at strangers?"

"Pudding?!" Johann mock exclaimed, "that's living dangerously my dear." He was contemplating similar pasta, but not quite to the large proportions Roxanne was angling for, his appetite never as strong as many friends. Mr sticky-fingers-for-tips had plodded off, ignoring them.

"I did watch you, you have very interesting cheekbones." Roxanne confirmed, and her finger reached out, his features softening with curiosity at what she was up to, leaning his weight on his forearms on the tabletop. The tip prodded at his face. It was a different kind of touch to the one he'd been grappling with in private of late.

"I am also still intrigued by your curly hair." She continued, and his eyebrows raised, lowering his head, anticipating she'd pull at it, not sure how to take someone being fascinated by how he looked. He was still surprised at anyone remarking positively about physical features.

"What did you initially think of the the first time you saw me? I'm not being vain, but honestly, did you think you'd be sitting in a diner with me once a week staring at strangers?"

"Of course, I saw it in the fates." Johann replied, without missing a beat and grinned maliciously and shook his head. "No, anything but a seer. But if I'd known I'd probably not have stared at you for quite as long. I mean, it got a bit uncomfortable for other people when we were staring at each other for so long. It was like we were having a match." He smiled brightly.

"I thought, she must have some confidence to do that job, and purposely attract attention with the flaming red hair. You were impossible to miss and the way your eyes were always busy had me thinking you were in the right job for your boundless curiosity. To keep up that all day, you had stamina. Sorry, have, the types of ridiculous questions you get asked, you've gained encyclopaedic knowledge."

The words rattled off at ten to the dozen. Roxanne would probably ask him this question every few months and he'd never quite deliver the same answer.

"To be honest you don't need the hair to attract attention, you're beautiful as it is." He concluded flippantly, as if it were an every day, normal thing to tell his friend who he hadn't really ever remarked upon in such a way before.

"Couldn't ask for better staring company, though we set a high standard from day 1 in the atrium." He explained, two fingers pointing to his own eyes and then over to Roxanne's to reflect their unintentional staring match he had recounted.

Roxanne laughed as Joh theatrically recoiled at the mention of desert "I like to live on the wild side Mr. Storm." Roxie also blushed lightly as he complimented her. "I initially thought you were rather stoic and stiff, but as I continued to watch you, I deduced that you were simply observing everything, always thinking, always processing, and I may or may not have sketched your scarf and up the first week I worked at my podium." Roxanne cleared her throat with a small smile at the confession.

"We are the observers of the world, whether the world likes it or not." Roxie quickly added, waving the waitress over without looking up from the salt shaker, to keep herself from the pending awkwardness she always felt in the back of her mind.

"Hey, my two favorite customers, what can I get you guys today? The usual?" The young brunette's ponytail swished with natural curls. She was too beautiful to be a waitress, she should have been on the billboard just next to the diner where the perfume advertisement was.

"I'm going to be a little adventurous today, Ali," Roxie gave Johann a little wink. "I'll have a medium hot cocoa with whipped cream, and an order of your superb macaroni and cheese." Roxanne listed, keeping her eyes on the hazelnut orbs of the waitress. "And some pudding." She added as Ali scratched down the order on her new pad. Roxanne turned back to her lunch companion, grinning impishly.

"And how about you Cheekbones?" Ali said, turning toward Johann.

"See? Interesting Cheekbones." Roxanne said, twirling her fork around her fingers.

Roxanne blushed somewhat at something he'd said, though Johann didn't have long to dwell on it before she imparted her own initial thoughts, and beckoned over the Ali who recognised them, and knew their usual routine, even if she knew nothing about the wands they carried.

"And how about you cheekbones?"

"See? Interesting cheekbones."

Johann stopped, lips apart as if about to speak his order and stopped, gaze sliding from Ali to Roxie. Surprise crossed his features, before his hands made to cover his cheekbones, fingertips reaching midway up his cheeks, consciously stopping himself reaching all the way.

"Just a coffee." He informed Ali, his gaze leaving Roxie and returning to the attentive waitress who was smirking at his reaction to their comments. "… the usual."

"Nothing to eat?"

"No, not today thanks." Johann confirmed, not entirely unusual for him to do this, and not ever bothered by the fact Roxie would eat in front of him.

Despite her encouragement to look at the specials, Ali couldn't quite change his mind and for all his usual smiles, he was still feeling relatively wrong-footed by them both going on about his cheekbones. He hadn't thought anyone paid attention to him in that way.

Once she was clear of them and off to put their orders in with the kitchen, Johann folded his arms over the table top and leaned over towards Roxie, lowering his voice.

"Are there any other parts of my anatomy you two conspire over?"

Closing his eyes a moment he smiled, visibly took a breath and let it out, his shoulders sinking and eyes reopening, the defensive stance disappearing.

"Sorry, that sounded rather more defensive than was ever meant. What were we discussing? Oh yes..."


End