Since finding the campus[1] on her walk the other day, Eva had spent much of her time planning what she could make of the dilapidated buildings - thrilled that she had a direction in her life. For the first time in months, she thought of something other than whether a former colleague would show up to remove her from this mortal plane. Come now, don't be so melodramatic. But as difficult as it was to admit to her own shortcomings, the blonde witch knew that running an operation of the caliber she wanted required assistance. And when Bai left for the UK last year for some ridiculous tournament, she realized that not having her closest friend close by was rather irksome, especially with all of the events that led up to her fleeing from the US and the Cabal. Now that Eva was planning on making a life in Britain, she didn't wish for Bai to leave her again.

Eva had nearly filled her flat with hastily scrawled notes full of names of respected experts of various fields she desired to be taught within her school, as well as a multitude of ideas on what she wanted to accomplish with the university. She brought only the most legible and coherent of these in her purse, in case Bai was reluctant to assist in the endeavor. Outright begging was beneath her, but if that was required...

And so with her mind racing on how best to sell the idea to her friend, Eva walked through the door to Alohomocha and the delightful aroma of coffee beans permeated the air. She noticed that Bai had yet to arrive, and then looked at the time. With horror she realized that her excitement over this new venture caused her to be uncharacteristically early for a meeting, unlike her usual tendency to be fashionably late in order to establish control. Dear god, I am truly becoming pathetic. She ordered a tall hazelnut mocha and found a table near the window. She crossed her legs and sipped her coffee idly while waiting for the esteemed magizoologist to arrive.

1.	The Idleness Will Kill Me

In soft butter yellow and deep, satiny plum, Bai Li stepped into the café… and in a discard of her usual punctuality, an entire minute earlier than had been agreed upon, because like Eva, she was quite eager to meet her friend, although perhaps – for now – slightly different reasons.

In accompanying the headmaster and their students to Hogwarts, it was not only her precious animals she had left behind; Eva, though met later in life than one often did with close friends, nevertheless had become as much to the reserved witch, whose manner and principles had appealed to many but truly befriended very few. Despite a subtle difference in personality, both shared important similarities that had Bai regarding the other woman with an empathy more personal than usual. Leaving her… had given Bai’s stay a rather bereft quality the magizoologist was not familiar with. At least, not to an extent she would admit to outside of the most private of moments.

Of course, she had not left the UK without something… valuable. But it had left her with an indecision she had not expected to face until later, and the implications of every choice left her in a state of conflict that required the perspective of her closest friend.

Seeing her already at their meeting place, however—Bai stopped in surprise. Quickly she recovered, a smile swiftly lighting up her features, but a trace of disbelief (albeit delighted disbelief) lingered still.

“Eva,” she greeted once she was near enough, and immediately swept into an exchange of kisses on the cheek. The smile she pulled away with was unreservedly sincere. “You look wonderful. You didn’t have to wait long, I hope?” Dark eyes twinkled teasingly.

When Bai walked through the door of the café, Eva stood up and greeted her friend with a peck on the cheek.  She noticed the surprised look Bai gave her due to her uncharacteristic punctuality, and smirked.

"Darling, I have to compete with you, it wouldn't be proper for me to come in some drab outfit. And you look stunning as usual," she motioned for her to sit.

"No, I thankfully just arrived myself. I'd truly die of embarrassment if I ever showed up more than five minutes early. But I didn't invite you out just for socializing, I must confess. I had a grand idea come to me the other day, not that all of my ideas aren't grand..." Why in the world are you rambling? Get to the damn point!

"I miss being the hand that rocks the proverbial cradle of the world. And I would love for you to be my partner in this venture. I want to create a university. Expand the minds of these fresh faced and wide eyed students just leaving Hogwarts or Salem or Beauxbatons or wherever and give them a place where they can develop those dreams uninhibited by the wizarding world's antiquated views on employment and... I am a selfish creature and don't particularly wish for you to go back to the States with your school singing ululations of victory practically bordering on jingoism due to winning that blasted Cup. Congratulations for that, by the by."

She gathered her composure, and rummaged through her purse for the notes she had scrawled earlier, and passed them to Bai. "I made lists of potential faculty and financiers from my personal contacts, as well as some vaguely coherent plans for what I hope that the school will be able to accomplish. Any suggestions you may have are more than welcome should you feel so inclined."

Breathe. One one-thousand... two one-thousand... "Sorry luv, I didn't mean to unload that all on you at once. I had planned a much better pitch in my head, I assure you. One that left me with some shred of dignity," Eva chuckled darkly and sipped her mocha. "I don't expect you to agree to this today or anything, but please consider it. I can't think of anyone else who I'd rather have by my side." Eva reached across the table and squeezed Bai's hand lightly.