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Arcturus Black, the younger (abramech) wrote in houseofgaunt,
@ 2008-08-26 22:09:00

Entry tags:

arcturus black, reggie black

Who: Arcturus Black the second and Regulus Black the first
What: Reading in the park?
When: August 24th, 3000, midday
Where: Wimbledon Common
Rating: Unknown?
Status: Incomplete

Reading had always been one of Arcturus' favourite past times, now it was rendered as essential (in his opinion at least) for survival. Although it must be said that reading twenty-first century Muggle literature probably wasn't contributing much towards this goal; other than acting to confuse him in its references, what was a DVD and how did you play one? And just where was the Czech Republic? Determined not to be beaten by a book he resolves to find a dictionary.

Keeping his fingers as place holders he pauses in reading for a moment to rub his eyes and stretch, still relishing in the fact that his joints don't make protestation at being stuck in the same position for more than five minutes -he had been laid out on the grass for a good hour.

Arcturus was exceedingly grateful to Marius for putting up with him, he knew that he probably wasn't the greatest house guest ever, even if he did try and keep out of the way. But he was also grateful for having found this park; discovered when he was looking about for jobs (a task he did not relish).

The landscaping had changed noticeably since he had last visited. The saplings that had, at the time, barely begun to sprout, were now mighty oaks. It was under one of these that he currently lay sprawled. His back towards the tree, facing the park and its Muggle denizens. Arcturus had been understandably nervous about entering with so many Muggles within, but soon decided on a policy of live and let live, involving him mostly ignoring them. It seemed to be working.

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reggieblack
2008-08-28 12:12 am UTC (link)

Not a single girl seemed to be without some sort of male escort in the park today, and Regulus was all the more resentful for it. He had spent the day so far looking for work that wouldn't cause him to become terribly homicidal, and was hoping some flirtation would distract him from his task. Of course that wouldn't go well either.

Despite his poor luck he kept a bounce in his step and forced himself to think optimistic thoughts. A man had once told him if he were to do good things and think positive thoughts than surely good and positive things would happen to him in return. Regulus had thought it a laugh before, that hopeful thoughts led to disappointment. Being a heartless bastard in business had only gotten him murdered though, so he had nothing to lose now.

He was surprised out of his thoughts when his gaze fell onto a young man who looked surprisingly familiar. He never would have thought that he would simply run into his elder brother like this, but it really was about time they saw each other again. He approached Arcturus in silence, not calling out to him. Instead, he stood over him, his shadow falling over the pages of the book.

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abramech
2008-08-28 05:45 pm UTC (link)

Absorbed in a book that seeks to puzzle its reader with its mentioning of strange things Arcturus doesn't notice anyone approaching him. Pausing mid-sentence he tenses as he sees the shadow fall over him and the look he casts up is more than a little wary.

At first, with the sun overhead Arcturus doesn't notice precisely who it is that is blocking his light and he frowns about to ask -very politely of course- for the interloper to move. In fact he gets so far as opening his mouth to ask this but quickly shuts it again as his eyes, grown used to the light, make out the features of the young man standing above him.

Paling rapidly Arcturus begins to resemble someone who has just been slapped, he feels that way too. It is one thing to write to someone who you remember being dead; it is quite another to have that person stand before you. Half certain that his mind is playing a cruel joke -he had been reading Muggle fiction after all- Arcturus says hesitantly, "Regulus?"

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	reggieblack 2008-08-28 07:39 pm UTC (link)
	"Arcturus!" Regulus crowed in return, plopping down on the ground next to his brother without a thread of grace, "Why, brother, you look as if you've seen a ghost. Or I suppose seeing me is much worse?" Regulus smiled at Arcturus, taking the moment to take in his brother's youthful appearance - a sight he hadn't seen since his brother was actually young. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

abramech
2008-08-29 04:10 pm UTC (link)

"Considering seeing ghosts is normal in some parts of the world..." Arcturus says quietly, he is still rather much in shock and it is only a great amount of willpower that stops him from poking his brother experimentally. He looks at Regulus curiously, he hadn't expected to see him to be honest (at least not yet), this whole experience was surreal enough without seeing dead men walking.

Putting his book down, bending a page corner over to keep his place -he had mislaid the piece of paper that was acting as a bookmark. Arcturus doesn't stop looking at Regulus. Finally he cracks a small smile meeting his brother's. "You look well. And older than I do, how's that fair?"

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reggieblack
2008-08-29 05:26 pm UTC (link)

"You're right, of course," Regulus sighs dramatically, using theatrics to cover up his shock and the slight feeling of awkwardness at seeing his brother, "It is a terrible analogy. What was I thinking?"

"But I know I do think it very fair that I finally get to be the older one even if it's only physically," Regulus grins childishly, "I'm sure it means I finally get to order you about."

He pauses, his grin melting off his face as a moment of seriousness overtook him, "But really, Arcturus. How long has it been?"

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abramech
2008-08-29 05:45 pm UTC (link)

"Try it. It never worked for me, I doubt it'll work the other way around." Arcturus says wryly with a grin.

Seeing his brother's grin disappear however and then that particular question get asked Arcturus freezes. Looking wary he decides to act obtuse since it could, he reasons to himself, be taken in two ways and he has no particular love of the topic. "Since what?"

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reggieblack
2008-08-29 06:09 pm UTC (link)

At that instant Regulus feels like the younger brother he is, shooting his elder brother a nervous glance, "Well, I mean, I think...you lived a lot longer than I did, and I don't really much remember anything that happened after I died or much of what it was like being dead or anything of that sort. I certainly didn't have any sense of time so I don't think it feels like it's been as long as it has been since we last saw each other. I was just wondering how long it's actually been. So I was just wondering how long it's been since we...without the obvious thousand year gap, if you please...how long since you've seen me," Regulus finally gives up, feeling like a fool. He curses his own discomfort under his breath and runs a nervous hand through his hair.

He doesn't quite understand why he is so uncomfortable with the topic, and fidgets a bit. With anyone else he is sure it would be easy to talk of his past and his death, but with Arcturus he almost feels guilty for even bringing it up.

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abramech
2008-08-29 06:23 pm UTC (link)

Cursing himself mentally for being an idiot and thoroughly disliking having put his brother in a bit of a state, even if it did prove that neither of them liked the topic a lot. Arcturus sighs and shuffles a little chewing his lip and when he does finally reply it's very soft and he refuses to look at Regulus. "Thirty two years, give or take a few months."

Looking Regulus in the eyes he adds affectionately with a twist of his lips no insult intended. "I missed you. Stupid twit."

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	reggieblack 2008-08-29 06:32 pm UTC (link)
	"You're ancient! Goodness, how could you stand it? You must have become quite decrepit," Regulus teases cheerfully, becoming noticeably brighter at the oh so endearing pet name, "And, as unbelievable as it may seem, I've missed you too." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

abramech
2008-08-29 06:41 pm UTC (link)

"I'm not ancient! Just, well, very knowledgeable." Arcturus says embarrassed and clearly flustered at being called that. But then adds somewhat proudly, "I was older than most of our relatives past and present when I finally snuffed it."
He nods his head somewhat abruptly still clearly embarrassed, then adds. "I'd hope so. Although from your point of view it hasn't been that long."

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reggieblack
2008-08-30 05:47 am UTC (link)

"And I thought I was old, but good on you for living so long," Regulus smiles, glad to be amused once more.

"I see you've found something to read," he notes, glancing at the closed book, "Is it at all satisfying your thirst for knowledge, or are you left parched?"

He flips open the books, eyes sweeping over the front page, and then closes it again without much interest.

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abramech
2008-08-30 03:36 pm UTC (link)

"You're hardly old." Arcturus scoffs. He eyes Regulus through narrowed eyes however when his brother picks up the book; he always had been rather protective of his books.

"It's a library book, a Muggle one at that." He says with some distaste. "I think I'm already regretting picking it up since it seems to need its own glossary just to understand half of what it's talking about.

Why, are you offering any?"

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	reggieblack 2008-08-31 01:11 am UTC (link)
	"All I could offer you is a book filled with drink recipes at the moment," Regulus says in a bored tone, "But I'm a bit surprised. I would have thought you the type who was able to learn something even from some ridiculous muggle book." (Reply to this) (Parent)