WHO: Bastian Dunstan and Pansy Thorndike WHEN: Saturday, 10 September, 2005, afternoon WHERE: Fenton Tower, near Edinburgh WHAT: Bastian steals Pansy away for the week-end RATING: likely pg because they are very proper except for Bastian’s confusion where he might try to grope her Status: Started in gdoc, continued in the thread.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect; cool with a hint of sun peeking from behind the clouds. They’d portkeyed to Edinburgh and found the tower easily enough. Who could miss it? It was gorgeous and reminded Bastian a bit of the pomp his family had before the war. Before polite society had nearly been destroyed by the Ministry. Even with the knowing look by the gentleman showing them to their rooms, Bastian held his chin up. Yes, it would have been simpler (and raised less eyebrows) if they’d just lied and said they were man and wife and shared one room. The expense wasn’t the problem. It was being obviously together, but not. Bas had to take heart he valued the old traditions, even if they were lost in the muggle world.
Purposely he’d asked for a room on the floor above from Pansy’s. It would, hopefully, help thwart the temptation. Oh, who was he kidding?
It was too soon. Definitely too soon, especially when he caught himself daily at Bletchley’s wondering where his wife and children were. All Bastian could say was he was grateful for his dear friends.
He waited for Pansy in the great room of Fenton Tower, eying a few titles of the books they had along the wall. But when she joined him, he turned and smiled. “Care for a walk? The grounds look incredible.”
Pansy wasn’t surprised to find Bastian eyeing the books. It was to be expected, after all. She hadn’t expected the extents that Bas had gone through for this weekend holiday. Bastian had gone all out arranging for this weekend and that was evident. Pansy had been awed by the gorgeous lodgings and glad that Bastian had arranged for two separate rooms for them. And on separate floors at that. It gave her a little bit of reassurance since she was still fairly nervous about the weekend.
“A walk would be good, yes,” Pansy said, tugging her jumper on. Today was the nine month anniversary of Tommy’s death and while she was considering ending the mourning period or at least switching to half-mourning, she kept the black of full mourning for this weekend, knowing that she’d need everything possible to fight of Bastian’s advances, especially when part of her wanted to give in.
Bastian was used to the black. In fact, in his mind, it had been years since he'd seen her in another colour, but he didn't let that sway him. Extending his elbow, he waited until Pansy's arm was tucked against his side before they started for the door. "How is your room? Tolerable?" His had feel to it that comforted him. Bas was fairly certain that after this weekend, he would never want to leave.
Holding the door for her, they exited along the front paths, heading toward the garden. "I could see a loch from my window." It was their destination if she was up for it. "Also, I left my journal with the girls, warding everything but blank pages, of course. I thought they should have it in case we wanted to say good night to them this evening. A firecall might be too precarious to arrange here." At that he glanced up and around, blinking in the brightness.
Pansy couldn’t help but breathe the air in deep as they walked the grounds. It was nice to be away from it all even though it was odd to be away from the children. Pansy’s brain was having a hard time wrapping around it all.
“That was smart of you,” she said with a smile. “Thinking ahead.”
She smiled.
“The room is lovely. I can’t thank you enough for arranging all this,” Pansy said as they made their way through the gardens. “It’s beyond lovely.”
"Maybe. Or maybe I'm just trying to impress you," he teased with a grin. In that moment, and the entire morning, really, Bas’ thoughts had been clear. He might have wanted more with Pansy but he knew what was real and what was not. “I just wanted you to have a connection to them while we were gone. Simone is used to being shipped here and there, but your girls aren’t ever without you. It’s selfish that I could take you away this weekend.” Bastian wasn’t apologising.
“It’s for you. For us. I thought we needed a quiet place, away from it all. To talk.” He smiled, thinly. “There are things for us to talk about, yes?” His look was hopeful.
Pansy wasn't sure if it was appropriate or not to blush, but she found her cheeks heating up a bit. "They were, before.." Pansy explained. "But not all that much this year. I just didn't see the need to go out and spend time away by myself."
It had seemed selfish. To take time away for herself when there were the girls to think of.
She sighed, and when they came upon a bench in the gardens, she took a seat on it.
"There are things I should tell you," Pansy said, quietly, not quite sure how to bring up the offer she'd made to Luag and Nate."