Approximately 6:00 PM, Callum's 'welcome back and congratulations on getting a real job for once you vagrant' dinner at Mai and Kohaku's house

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She had told both her guests that this would be a dinner in Callum's honor. This dinner was merely a guise for her plans..

For some reason, back in the year 2000 (approximately ten years ago), Maiko got it in her head that she was the master of matchmaking. That reason being that she got a friend to go out with some bloke they met at a bookstore. They wound up getting married. This was strictly a one-time thing, and to be honest, she barely even had a hand in it other than introducing the two to each other.

Most other pairings that Mai tried to set up were horrid, to say the least.  She was far from subtle, and often threw people together who, quite frankly, would not and could not ever get along. For someone who was rather good at reading people, when it came to matchmaking she was an utter failure. Usually. Her poor younger brother was her most recent (and more frequent) victim, and while Mathieu Valliancourt was a decent match for him, that decent match did not make up for all the trauma of terrible dates that Kohaku had to suffer through.

Now, Mai’s dear friend Akiva’s husband had been gone for… Some time. Probably gone forever. Probably dead, leaving her with seven month old Gabriel. And although she wanted Kiva to move on, she also didn’t want to push her too far. Her honorary brother and soon-to-be-coworker Cal, the dimpled vagabond that he was, needed to find someone to ground him. He was very recently hired as a Muggle Studies professor for the next year. It was a surprising commitment, considering his vagabond nature.

Akiva and Cal were both… Rather accepting of muggles. Two of the most accepting people that Mai knew. And while she really wanted them to be a couple, she would’ve also happily settled for them being friends. Especially since they were in the same house and year at Hogwarts.

In preparation for this momentous occasion, Maiko had made a rather large pot of beef stew and a couple loaves of beer bread for dinner. The stew was made, partially with Gabriel in mind. Surely he was old enough to eat soft foods. In the oven was a berry pie for dessert. Her round kitchen table had four place settings, and a high chair (Merlin knows where she found it) for the baby.

“You behave yourselves.” Mai said to Callum and Kohaku, reaching out to squeeze both their faces, contorting their lips into comical, pinched positions. “I mean it. Akiva is absolutely lovely. She's on her way here to congratulate you." Mai gave Callum a pointed look.  "If you two say anything, and I mean anything to make her cry, you will face my wrath.” By her 'wrath' she meant they'd have to deal with her disappointment. Wrath just sounded better.

He'd been back for not even a month, and already Maiko was attempting to set him up with someone. The woman was bloody unbelievable. Of course, she veiled it as a "congratulations and welcome home" dinner, but she had been making decidedly not subtle remarks about her friend Akiva for the past week and a half. Of course, it only took a few days before his chosen sister began peppering him with inquiries into his love life, and he knew that it would only be a matter of time before she found some excuse to thrust him back into the dating scene. However, he would never consider letting Maiko know that he knew, because her sly grins as she plotted made Cal happier than he'd been in a long time.

Cal vaguely remembered Akiva, but it had been over a decade since they last interacted, and it had been rare for them to exchange more than a 'Shalom' while at Hogwarts. Cal had been rather boisterous in school (not to imply that he wasn't still), and he felt that his antics often embarrassed the shy Ravenclaw when they were paired together for projects. Still, she had never been anything but kind to him, and if nothing else it would be nice to see what she was doing with her life. Though he was apprehensive about being around a baby, as he was always worried that he would say something inappropriate, and then they would become a toddler with a sailor mouth.

The house smelled delectable, and it had taken most of Cal's willpower to only take a few furtive taste tests of the stew. He was just about to go in for another when Maiko rounded on him, and he put on his most innocent expression, and he thanked his genetics for the umpteenth time for giving him such adorable dimples. When Maiko pinched his lips, he rolled his eyes at her antics.

"Mai, when have I ever been anything other than charming? Now Kohaku on the other hand..." He smirked at the young man he considered his baby brother, and tousled his hair. But Mai had a gift for guilt-tripping, and Cal knew better than to do anything that might put him on the receiving end of one.

Maiko had invited Akiva and Gabriel over for dinner.  This was not an uncommon experience, except for the fact that it was a dinner for someone Akiva hadn’t seen in oh… over a decade.  She mentioned the name Callum Asher, apparently come back to the UK to assume the position of muggle studies teacher come the fall, which was quite the accomplishment, but Akiva hadn’t been sure – at first – why she was being invited to celebrate the accomplishments of a housemate she hadn’t spoken to in years.

It became readily apparent, however, what Maiko’s game was.  Akiva may not have always picked up on things, but it was hard to miss what Maiko was trying to do.  It was sweet, of course, and it showed that she was worried about her in some way (a way most people seemed worried about her).  Her mother had started breeching the topic with her recently, it’d been nearly seven months – as evidenced by her rapidly growing son and still empty home. It was a subject she didn’t put too much thought into, trying to balance her job and her son, but now it seemed to be coming from multiple angles. 

She wasn’t going to turn down the invitation though.  Maiko was a brilliant cook and a dear friend, so regardless; she did want to spend time with her.  She’d tolerate her attempts as far as she could – and do it with a smile.  Akiva had no problem with Callum as far as she remembered – if it served her right he’d always been amiable and greeted her pleasantly at school.  She’d been the shy sort, and quite studious – interests revolving around quiet subjects – things she could do by herself, mostly. 

So, she dressed Gabriel (worrying about herself second) and headed out the door with him in his pram for Maiko’s, doing her best to be on time this time.  It was a difficult task with an infant (rapidly edging into toddler territory), but she managed and ducked out of the door, locking it behind her as she went.  Mai didn’t live far off and a muggle taxi would do. 

She rushed out to the street, waving a car down and helped put the pram into the back before she got in with Gabriel, giving the address.  The cab driver was fast (making Akiva only slightly nervous as she glanced at Gabriel in the detachable seat) and felt like she finally breathed when they pulled up to the house.  She paid the taxi driver quickly and helped herself out of the vehicle, glad when he pulled the bottom of the pram out of the trunk. 

Akiva reattached the pieces and pushed it up to the home, knocking on the door as she waited for Mai to answer.  When she heard the doorknob turning, Akiva put on a big smile.  “Hey!” she greeted as soon as the door opened, “I’m so glad you invited us!”

Kohaku shifted away from the hair ruffle and aimed a well-placed elbow at Cal’s side. He didn’t say much to Mai’s warning—he already liked Akiva. He wasn’t going to scare away one of the few friends of Maiko’s that he actually liked. Besides, he knew he could be a bit of a pain to be around, especially in one of his moods.

There was a knock on the door before Mai could give Callum a clever retort, and she greeted Akiva warmly.

“Kivaaaa~” She said, pulling her into a hug. “And Gabriel! Hello there big guy!” Mai cooed, touching his curls. Dreogan and Akiva had made an adorable little baby. She loved children, and knew she wanted some one day. Now wasn’t the time, so instead she doted on Akiva’s little baby. Her baby that was growing far too fast. “I have some clothes for him, remind me to get them for you before you leave.” Mai (and occasionally Kohaku) had a tendency to pick up cute outfits for Gabriel if they saw any they liked.

She let her friend into the house. “Well then, since everybody is here… We can get started on dinner!” The stew had been simmering for quite some time now, and was more than ready. Mai led them all to the kitchen and started serving up portions for everybody. “Soooo, Cal. Did you hear that Akiva works for the Muggle Affairs office?” She said carefully, knowing full well that he was not exactly fond of the ministry. But he was fond of muggles, so there was that.

"Oof!" Cal grunted as Kohaku's elbow found his rib cage, and he was about to give him a noogie when there was a knock at the door. Instantly he straightened and made sure that his plaid button up wasn't creased.

He followed Mai to the door and smiled at Akiva, and only looked marginally terrified of the small pseudo-human who Mai was currently huddled over, making sounds that Cal didn't know were humanly possible. But he knew how much Mai adored the little mess makers, and smiled in spite of himself.

"Hey, Kiva, how've you been?" Cal waved from behind Maiko, and nodded towards her offspring. "Cute kid." Cal wasn't sure what about children put him at unease. But he smiled at Akiva, and shook his head towards Maiko, hoping that Akiva would understand the meaning behind the gesture: Sorry that my sister is crazy, but it is nice to see you again.

"Fu... Yeah, stew!" Cal exclaimed (barely managing to censor himself) when Maiko announced that it was time for dinner. Mai's cooking was something that was cause for celebration. When his best friend mentioned Akiva's job, he looked at the guest curiously.

"Is that a new branch? What work do you do there?" He inquired, and blew softly on a spoonful of stew. "Sorry, I've been living pretty much solely in the Muggle world for awhile, so I'm not up to speed on everything."

Akiva accepted the hug as a common greeting and smiled warmly as Maiko greeted Gabriel.  She knew that she was fond of her son, which was good.  She wanted Gabriel raised around a lot of different people who cared about him.  Even if (as the possibility became more of a reality with each passing day) their family was only the two of them, she wanted him to feel like he had a huge one.  All of her friends became pseudo-aunts and uncles in the absence of her own siblings, so she just nodded happily (as though Gabriel needed anything else) and entered her home.

When another voice chimed in, Akiva looked up, connecting that it must have been Callum, as that was most assuredly not Kohaku, who she knew quite well.  “Thank you,” she beamed at the compliment toward her son, not really registering that there was perhaps some discomfort with small children and shrugged.  “I’ve been well, and yourself?” It was the polite response, but to go into how she was really doing would probably take about fifteen years and be completely draining to everyone – listeners included.  She peeked around to see Kohaku also there and waved, “Hi!”

As soon as she really made her way inside, Akiva took off her scarf, tying it around the handles on the pram and took a deep breath.  It smelled wonderful inside.  If anyone was a better cook than Akiva, it was probably Maiko.  She lifted Gabriel and rested him on her hip, the baby’s big, brown eyes just looking around.  Akiva reached across herself to smooth his shirt front, amused slightly at the plaid theme that emerged in the room. 

“Dinner sounds spectacular,” Akiva sighed and followed her into the kitchen, getting Gabriel set up in the high chair (Merlin knew where Mai had found that!) with a toy and some chunks of banana (his favorite) she pulled from a container in the diaper bag before she looked over to see if she could help.  Of course, Maiko seemed to have everything under control and that meant Akiva sat.  "It smells amazing here," Akiva informed Mai, as if the woman didn't already know.  It was weird to sit while the host took care of things.  Usually she was hosting.  She thanked Mai as soon as a bowl was put in front of her before running her hands over her skirt under the table, Akiva cleared her throat as Mai mentioned her job and then more questions were asked. 

Clearing her throat she nodded.  “No need to apologize,” she answered, moving the stew around in her bowl for a moment.  “it wasn’t as though there were any big announcements about it you’d have heard anyway,” she smiled, “except maybe from those that opposed it.”  Controversy would probably have been Dreogan Eleor’s actual middle name if he had a choice in it, and founding his branch of the Ministry had certainly caused it. 

“I only really facilitate research,” Akiva explained modestly.  She hadn’t done anything particularly outstanding.  “Maiko said you’re going to be teaching Muggle Studies in the fall?” Akiva asked over a spoonful of stew.   

"I've been well, and yourself?

Cal shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I've been doing all right. A lot of traveling, which is always enjoyable. Wrapping my head around being the big three-oh. No idea when that happened." He looked at Maiko and Kohaku, and smiled. "But I am glad to be home."

As Akiva fussed over the baby's outfit, Cal laughed when he realized that they matched. "He has a good sense of style," he winked, the humor in the situation made him less uncomfortable around his fashion Mini-Me.

Cal listened intently to Akiva's explanation of her job, and shook his head when she said that there was opposition. Naturally. He thought darkly, and took a few spoonfuls of stew in order to not launch into a tirade about bigotry and intolerance. "People will always find something to get up in arms over. What research does your group do?"

Callum chuckled when Akiva brought the conversation to his new job. "Mai told everyone when I got the job. The postman was quite confused. I don't think that she views being a Muggle teacher as a real job." The last part he faux-whispered to Akiva, and smiled broadly. "But yeah, it will be interesting to see what has changed at the school. I hear the curse has grown to encompass all the subjects, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I make it through the school year intact."

Kelly gave me permission to add/GMod anything about Maiko and Kohaku.

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The more Callum spoke, the more she seemed to remember about him at school.  They hadn’t really been in the same crowd, Akiva preferring to be by herself most of the time (or under the watchful eye of Tamis Raynor), but he had always seemed nice.  That was at least still true.  “Time tends to pass quickly when you aren’t paying attention,” Akiva smiled in return to his birthday comments.  She understood that.  The same was approaching for her and though she felt more comfortable with her role in adulthood, it didn’t stop her heart from skipping a little, realizing that thirty was definitely here.  That wasn’t the end of the world though.  In comparison to some, it seemed entirely too much like the beginning of everything. 

Rather than focus on the philosophical points of being thirty years old, she grinned as Kohaku rolled his eyes at his sister (she didn’t catch why), just typical teenager stuff, she assumed and he took retreat by turning to Gabriel, picking up a piece of banana for him.  Of course, once helped, Gabriel wanted very little to do with that piece and instead tried to grab at a more elusive, and slippery piece, on the top of the tray with a little grunt. 

Sparing a glance over at their host, Akiva noticed Maiko looked entirely too pleased with herself.  She hoped it was over the soup.  Refocusing on conversation she nodded at his comment about people finding problems with everything.  “I know.  We’re looking at a number of things.  Integration into the wizarding community for muggleborn families firstly.  We’ve started to branch into muggle-magic relationships in current and past events.   Dreogan founded the office with interest in weakening the statue of secrecy,” she explained, feeling a little pang as she talked about her husband’s ambitions.  He had been so passionate about all of it. 

Without him, however, she doubted the original mission would come to fruition.  Pushing around her soup, she brightened as conversation turned from her job to his and it was embarrassing to admit to a giggle when revealed that Mai told everyone about his job.  Covering her mouth with her hand, she took a moment to compose herself before looking up, considering what he said about the curse.  “It can’t be all that bad,” she countered.  “Perhaps the recent string has just… lacked the experience to persevere.  You said you’ve travelled for years, which must count for something.” 

She looked up at Mai; again looking pleased and shook her head.  “The stew is phenomenal,” she informed her, then looked to Callum, “Maiko might be the best cook I know.”

Callum was entirely too aware of the look of smug satisfaction on Mai's face, and barely suppressed a sigh. However, he was enjoying his conversation with Akiva, as he found her to be extremely progressive in her viewpoints towards non-magical folk. And it was one of his biggest dreams to abolish (or at least lessen) the statute of secrecy, though he had often been referred to as an idealist.

"Integration is a great first step. My main goal for my class is to bring more understanding of the Muggle world, and hopefully make them start to question the archaic way of thinking that posits wizards as being superior in every way. I mean, I can't personally think of a spell that has been more practical in my life than Google or Wikipedia. And just think what we could do if both groups worked together and found a way to blend science and magic," Cal gesticulated while he spoke, as this was a topic he was quite passionate about. But he realized that politics weren't generally viewed as proper dinner conversation, and rubbed the back of his while he laughed sheepishly. "But yeah, I hope that the kids take to the curriculum well, and if I can introduce them to other cultures that would be great. I'm waiting for the Howlers from outraged parents." Cal chuckled.

"Might be the best cook you know? I might just be biased, but before I got back most of my meals for a few weeks had been prepared by a guy named Stump-Arm Pete. Maiko's cooking is something I can never get sick of," Cal nudged Maiko, and rolled his eyes due to her outright obviousness. His sister-from-another-mister was truly incorrigible.

Mai definitely thought she was so clever. Shooting ‘knowing’ looks at Kohaku and grinning to herself. She didn’t even want to say anything in case it would ruin their pacing, or cut off their conversation in some way. Even if they didn’t work out the way that Maiko wanted them to, she hoped they would like each other and be friends. It always, always bothered her when her friends didn’t get along. It was difficult, and often times she wished there was a spell that wasn’t illegal that could make people treat each other the way she wished they would.
 
She didn’t blush when they complimented her culinary skills, but she did nod in thanks. “Aww, you two! You feed my ego.” She paused. Technically, it would’ve been her ‘ID” or “IT”, the ego was actually the mediator between the ID and the Superego.. Though Mai wasn’t going to bring that up for the sake fo being correct. It would’ve been weird, and the others at the table weren’t psychology nerds like she was.

“Akiva, your cooking is phenomenal too! And I don’t know how you do it, watching over a little one. If I had a baby to take care of, cooking would be the last thing I cared about.” She very pointedly ignored Callum's comment about stump-arm Pete.

Her brother from another mother (Literally, Kohaku had a different mother) nodded in agreement. He hadn't gotten to taste much of what Akiva cooked, but what he had eaten, he enjoyed.

Akiva loved the direction the class he described was going in.  When she had left the wizarding world so many years ago, and maybe even before, she struggled with many of the same questions.  Why did people think that way and why?  As a witch, she understood magic was useful and immeasurably powerful, but as a person with muggle family members she had never understood why muggle things were seen as so... Inferior.  It was just different and now, with muggle technology expanding so much: some of it had to be more useful than magic.  When was the last time a wizard had made a movie? The wireless was infinitely less amusing. 

"I love that," she finally agreed with a bright smile. Everything that went on in he head probably didn't need to be said, but it was also probably conveyed by the enthusiasm with which she spoke.  "If any parents do send you howlers, they obviously need to reevaluate.  Of course, I suppose that's what my department's job is," she smiled wryly before blowing on a spoonful of soup. 

Kohaku was busy blowing on bits of potato to put on Gabriel's tray.  He was really sweet about her son.  She laughed lightly at Callum's remark about his recent cook.  "You're too nice," she looked at Maiko, a slight blush covering her cheeks.  "For one," she looked around the table, "I bake.  Secondly, Chinese food makes up a substantial portion of my diet on the days I actually work," she grinned.  Maybe not entirely true, but she didn't want anyone to think she was full of herself or anything.   That wasn't really her thing.  "Unless of course, I come here," she added with another smile - glancing down at her soup. 

She didn't realize how much she had already eaten.  Testament to how good it was.  "Do you move into the castle before students get there... Or on the same night? Or do you live there over the summer? I've always wondered that," she decided to ask. She'd never been in the position to actually ask. 

Cal beamed when Akiva expressed her excitement for his class. It was a relief to receive positive feedback, especially from someone working closely with the subject. "If any parents do send you howlers, they obviously need to reevaluate. Of course, I suppose that's what my department's job is." Her wry smile caused him to chuckle, and he winked. "So what you're saying is to forward all of my hate mail your way, right?" His tone was joking, and part of him hoped to maybe cause a bit of a kerfuffle with the old pureblood families, parading around with their pedigrees like glorified showdogs.

He noticed Kohaku carefully blowing on pieces of potato for the baby, and Cal wondered what was wrong with him as everyone else seemed to have no issues with small children. They were just so fragile and dependent. Cal often had a difficult enough time keeping himself afloat, the idea of someone else relying on him could cause him to break out in cold sweats.

"There is no shame in living off of take-out Chinese. One of the things I miss most about living in San Francisco. For a good year, I pretty much lived on General Tso's," he confessed as he finished his bowl of stew, and tore into a slice of beer bread.

Gulping down the bread, he took a swig of water before responding. He had actually been curious as to what the living arrangements for the professors were, too. "I actually just found out myself a bit ago. I'll be moving in about a week before the students, to get everything situated and such. I don't think that I would be able to handle living in the castle all year round." There were too many ghosts in Hogwarts, and not of the ectoplasmic variety. "I know this might be forward, but do you think that you would ever be willing to speak in one of my classes as a guest at some point? I hope to bring in various speakers to share insight on topics relating to muggle-wizard relations and laws and such, and I feel like your knowledge and position would be extremely impactful."

"If the level of hate mail is overwhelming, I suppose I can take some of it," Akiva grinned.  It was silly of course, "I probably have some very informative pamphlets to send regarding muggle relations they could learn from."  That part was probably true in the sense that she had some.  Whether they were actually useful or not, she couldn't judge.  Perhaps she'd have to send a few and see the reaction before she could make a judgment.  It'd probably be funny to see what would happen.

Sometimes people needed to shake things up and do things differently.  She knew there were risks associated with that, but Dree had felt strongly about it and she felt it was right to honor that, even if it was a scary prospect.  "I hope you won't have any of those problems though," she added sincerely. 

The seriousness was cut short when he explained how he had lived off take out in San Francisco.  She'd never been to the United States, she thought briefly.  "That sounds exceptional," she laughed lightly.  As much as she liked cooking, there was just something so supremely satisfying about take out. 

With her question about the habits of professors, Akiva nodded.  That seemed supremely less interesting than childhood speculation that professors lived there year round and probably slept in their classrooms.  But, she supposed it made much more sense.  "Are you staying here until you move to the castle?" She added with another curious glance. It'd probably be wasteful to just get a flat to have to pay for all year without use.  Everything about it seemed entirely impractical.  She supposed though, for a school that seemed to thrive on impracticalities it made sense. 

Blinking at his question, Akiva was genuinely surprised.  She didn't think she had any special knowledge, especially to share with students.  "I mean," she cleared her throat, "if you would want me to.  I have a couple of colleagues who might have more experience and specific knowledge that I could also get you in touch with."  She felt quite shy about what she did, being fairly new to her department and this specific area of wizarding society.  Akiva nibbled on a piece of bread to fill up some of the space that otherwise would have been filled with some anxious rambling.  "I could even help you with a trip to the office, perhaps?" She finally put forth, having remembered seeing groups come into other areas to see the ministry. 

The idea of pamphlets explaining the nuances of muggle relations was humorous to Cal, as there was something gloriously patronizing about giving someone a pamphlet when you couldn't be bothered to inform them yourself. He would definitely have to acquire a few for his own reading pleasure. Especially if they had mildly passive-aggressive titles.

"Are you staying here until you move to the castle?"

Cal looked at Mai, and chuckled. "I don't want to wear out my welcome. I was thinking of finding a small flat somewhere. Or maybe get a place that I could sublet to college students over the school year, so then I wouldn't have to worry about the bills when I wasn't living there."

When Akiva mentioned helping set up a trip to the office, Cal barely suppressed a grimace. His feelings towards the Ministry as a whole were not the most positive, but he remembered that he had wanted to face the past head on. "Setting up a tour of the office would be quite wonderful. Regardless, there are still many months to work out a date. My people will get in touch with your people," Cal smiled, hoping that the lack of urgency would calm her. "How long have you worked for the Ministry?"

This was going well. And Mai actually knew both parties fairly well, so this wouldn’t be a repeat of the great Astral Plane disaster of 2006. Maiko had tried to set Callum up with a former acquaintance named Astral Snowphish Plane. She came from a gentle background—her parents,  Chakra Plane and Rainbow Plane (who knows if those were their given names) were wizarding naturalists. Her sister, Secret Plane was not someone the family ever talked about due to her political leanings.

Either way, Astral Plane and Callum Asher was a catastrophe waiting to happen. The relationship started with an innocent dinner, and ended with a tent fire and three angry dragons. He had to move multiple times after the breakup. 

In hindsight, Astral hadn’t been the best choice.

“You could never wear out your welcome, Cal!” Maiko insisted, shaking her head.

Kohaku mouthed to Akiva, not subtly, “Yes he can.”

Maiko was pleased that overall, Akiva and Callum were getting along. Cal didn’t seem too scared off by the fact that she had a baby. That was a good sign.