Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Impeach Bush"

Dorcas Meadowes (dorcas_m) wrote in beyondthepages,
@ 2010-05-12 21:46:00

Entry tags:

!complete, 2023 10, benjy fenwick, dorcas meadowes

RP: Dinner
RP: Dinner 
Characters: Cas, Benjy 
Time/Date: later afternoon/evening October 12, 2023 
Location: Hogsmeade 
Warnings/Rating: None
 Summary: Cas and Benjy are going out to dinner. 
Status: Complete

Cas had taken a late lunch, effectively leaving work twenty minutes early. She had showered, done something with her hair, and even managed to apply makeup. It was only when she stood at her entryway, considering which of her three pairs of shoes went best that she began to consider that, just possibly, she was taking this too seriously. They were shoes, and it was not like anyone was going to notice them anyway. She brushed it off, and decided on the most comfortable pair; it was dinner in Hogsmeade, not an exploration of high society.

Checking her appearance in the bathroom mirror before Apparating, Cas realized that it was the first time in months she wasn't considering what to wear with the frame of running about and fighting. She brushed a stray hair from her face and Apparated into Hogsmeade.

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of_the_fen
2010-05-13 01:58 am UTC (link)

He'd been amused when he'd come across the chocolate flowers in Honeydukes. Chocolate flowers! It was entirely too cute and he'd had to buy some for Cas, certain she'd enjoy the joke.

Edible, chocolate flowers. Or flower shaped chocolates. He was pretty sure they weren't actually flowers. But hey, maybe they were some sort of freakish Herbology mutation where they could actually grow chocolate flowers.

Strolling along the path, he wasn't sure exactly where they were supposed to meet up, but he figured if he hung around near the Three Bs, she'd run into him eventually.

Twirling the flowers and watching the people as he passed by, Benjy made his way along toward the pub to keep an eye out for Cas.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-13 02:05 am UTC (link)

She had ended up across the street from the Three Broomsticks, deciding it was as reasonable a place as any to meet up; the proverbial Mecca, the Three Bs was where everyone met up. Or, at least, in her time it was. It didn't seem like things had changed a great deal.

Too wrapped up in paperwork to partake in her usual nervous habit, Cas found herself grating a finger against the torn cuticle of her thumb. It was a vague comfort, although, if she grated too hard, there would be blood and that would just be unpleasant to mix with food.

She caught sight of Benjy, and walked over. "Hello you," she said. "What's new?"

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of_the_fen
2010-05-13 02:39 am UTC (link)

"Look," he said as he proudly held out the chocolate flowers to her. "There are a lot of very neat things here in this new world," he intoned solemnly - which didn't work with his huge grin. "They're for you, by the way. In case you can't tell with the offering of them and everything."

He rolled his shoulders and smiled. "So, they're supposed to be starting me on training for Unspeakables in the next couple of weeks if I can pass a few tests. I'm excited," he admitted.

A little scared that he wouldn't be able to swing it, but ... hey. He was Benjy, back from the dead. He could do anything. "Nervous as hell, but excited," he said. "Excited about shopping tomorrow," he continued, eyes gleaming. "Clothes, furniture, really obnoxious windchimes ..."

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dorcas_m
2010-05-13 02:59 am UTC (link)

She grinned at him, taking the flowers. "My god, Benjy, are they ... they're chocolate, aren't they? That's seven sorts of brilliant. Thank you," she said, kissing his cheek.

"As for Unspeakable training, I have every ounce of faith in your ability to pass tests. You're a Ravenclaw; it's practically in your blood. Not to mention that you're bright, and already survived OWLs and NEWTs and coming back from the dead. There aren't many people who can lay claim to that particular feat. I'm thrilled they're letting you in, though! That's fantastic; we should celebrate somehow."

"Obnoxious windchimes," Cas nodded, "are obviously the priority. Along with knicknacks and oddities. I'll warn you, some of the clothes fall into that category. Lily and I went out a few weeks ago and had quite the time finding things that were, shall we say, decent? It was quite the shopping excursion. "

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of_the_fen
2010-05-13 03:15 am UTC (link)

"Pretty sure they're meant to be eaten. They were in the chocolate shop," he said, in case she perhaps wanted to see for herself or ... something.

"Well, we'll see. They're going to sit me down for one on Monday and ... we're going from there as to whether or not I get to see the other tests." He was hopeful though. Even things he didn't know flat-out, he could probably work out, or at least believably bullshit. "I'm not ... in yet," he said. "Celebrations might be premature."

He grinned. "Oddities. I almost forgot about oddities," he said. "We'll need a bucketload of those at least. Big empty place, you said? Fill it up, I said."

Listening to her going on about her and Lily's shopping expedition, he grinned. "Well, I can honestly say I wouldn't mind seeing the pair of you in clothing that was less than decent."

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dorcas_m
2010-05-13 08:40 pm UTC (link)

"Mmm," Cas purred. "Dessert!"

"They might be, but probably not. From my understanding of the program, what little I've heard, the fact that you're even taking the tests is a good sign." She paused, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I remember hearing reports of it being fairly competitive, at least in our time. Things may have changed, but, I doubt it."

"Oddities make the flat. It's not just a big empty place; it's a big empty quiet place that still feels more like a hotel room than any sort of permanent residence. It doesn't even have things to really trip over and bruise yourself up on! That's how un-flat-like it is."

Cas reddened a little. "I have ... I have one dress in my closet. I've worn it once. It's obscenely short. There are no pictures, but who knows? It may have another outing in it."

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of_the_fen
2010-05-13 09:13 pm UTC (link)

He supposed she had a point with that; the Ministry didn't tend to like to waste its own time - though it would gladly waste the time of its visitors.

"I'll keep you posted on my progress," he assured her.

"Oddities," he repeated. "Sundries, and an area rug to trip over. Got it," he assured her. "Maybe Lily can chime in suggestions on that front too."

He grinned - leered a little, really - when Cas mentioned her short dress. "Sure there are no pictures? I could take some for you."

Laughing softly, he grinned to her. "So hey. Where are we headed for food tonight?"

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dorcas_m
2010-05-13 11:14 pm UTC (link)

"And things to hang on the walls. They're all white and anti-septic and it's bothersome. There's nothing to be tilted awkwardly or gather dust. Or fall off the wall. It's a shame, really," she added. "I've had nothing to bump into when I stumble in. Just the wall, and that's so boring."

"Eventually," she smirked. "I'll show you. Just not in public. Ever again. You'll see it and understand why once was plenty."

"I dunno; I didn't really think that far ahead. Ideas?"

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of_the_fen
2010-05-13 11:26 pm UTC (link)

"Decorations for the walls then," he agreed before he grinned. They were going to have the most ecclectic gathering of room decor in the history of ever.

"Maybe a fishtank while we're at it, yeah?"

He laughed quietly. "All right. Not in public. But I should get some sort of treat for helping to move my things in and decorate our flat. Think that'd about do it."

His grin broadened. "Invite me out to dinner but don't know where to go," he heaved a sigh. "Muggle or wizarding? We could venture out a bit or stick to the Three Bs for tonight." He paused. "There're food delivery places near the flat, right? Be a shame if one of us has to cook every night."

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dorcas_m
2010-05-13 11:54 pm UTC (link)

"I like the fishtank; can we get colorful fish? Really bright ones?" She asked; it wasn't terribly important, but she wanted as much color as possible. To be honest, though, when she pictured the apartment by the end of the week, she had to admit color and life wouldn't be in short supply.

"When all the furniture is moved in, I'll show you," she blushed. "But no pictures! It's obscene, really. You'll see!"

"Benjy Fenwick," she started. "Have you ever known planning to be my specialty in all the years you've known me?" She giggled. "As for dinner, Three Bs sounds good and as for the flat situation, I can't cook. At all. So, yeah, I made sure there were good delivery places around before I moved in. "

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 12:31 am UTC (link)

"Sure," he agreed. "Maybe there's some magical fish that won't die on us. Not sure how I am about taking care of fish." He looked thoughtful. "We can start out with some plastic ones," he decided. "See how that goes before upgrading to hearty, living ones."

He nodded. "No pictures. Cross my heart," he promised her. He'd only take mental pictures. "Lily have an obscenely short dress too? I mean, if she helps us move in, it's only right she'd get to show it off too."

Benjy grinned and shook his head slightly. "Suppose you've got me there. And you still can't cook?" He sighed. "I can make some things. Toast and sandwiches and soup," he offered. "But I imagine the delivery places will get to know us very well."

He slung one arm over her shoulders before he turned them around to head toward the door of the Three Bs.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 12:52 am UTC (link)

"Plastic just seems to be the easiest for now. No food, no water changes, nothing. We can be overwhelmed forgetful twenty-somethings with clear consciences." That was important to Cas; she couldn't forget to feed something that didn't need to be fed.

She laughed. "You'll have to ask her that Benjy. I'm sworn to secrecy!" And I'm not sure about her and Severus, so you might want to ask him too," she added mentally.

"I cannot cook. I can bake, I can heal, I can make potions -- even Wolfsbane now. I tend to agree with your assessment. I think we'll be on a first name basis with most of them by the holidays, if not sooner."

She leaned her head against Benjy's shoulder, enjoying being a normal twenty year on ... well, whatever this was.

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 01:02 am UTC (link)

"Well, we can do pretend food and change out the water once in a while." He looked thoughtful. "Or start with some snails. They're pretty hardy, right?" He nodded. "Then, if we can manage snails for a couple of months, we'll move up to ... whatever comes next in the hierarchy."

He nodded. "All right. I'll drop her an owl about it and see what she says," he agreed. Not that he really would. Lily was lovely, really, but not his type. Besides that, he was pretty sure she'd already rested her affections elsewhere, and any attempt at them would be a losing battle.

"You can bake? All this time and no cake from you? No biscuits? Cas, really!" He sighed. "I demand you bake me something for ... for occupying your flat for you." He grinned to her, rubbing her arm lightly before he released her to push open the door to the Broomsticks.

Dinner, drinks, and fabulous company; it promised to be a good night.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 01:11 am UTC (link)

"We'd have to make an effort to kill the snails; I don't think they die unless you, I dunno, put salt on them, and we'd know enough not to do that. The only responsibility I can think of is giving them ... er, they eat lettuce, don't they?" Cas had to admit that, beyond the plants she needed in potions, her knowledge of gardening was poor, especially in the realm of garden-dwelling creatures.

Cas just laughed, relatively sure he was kidding.

"The baking," she started, "only happened over the summer hols. My parents had an electric stove, so I couldn't possibly burn the house down or set anything on fire or have anything explode like with gas. I made sure the one in the flat's electric too. I will bake you whatever you want ... after we move in and buy groceries."

Stepping into the Three Bs was surreal; it was almost exactly as she had remembered it. "Some things never change, huh?"

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 01:22 am UTC (link)

"The water ones? I don't know. Some sort of plant. Or algae. Something. I could read up on it," he said with a grin. He'd never really looked into aquarium ownership before. Nor was he seriously interested in it right now, but it was fun to poke fun at their inability to have pets.

"Right. So, Thursday night then, after all the furniture is set up and the beds are made and we've cleaned out the grocery stores ... we'll be having some biscuits baked by Cas," he declared.

He glanced around and nodded slowly. "Or they don't change in noticeable ways," he murmured before he glanced around. There were a few tables smack in the middle of things he wouldn't mind occupying, but he supposed he should let her choose whether or not she wanted to be in the thick of the crowd tonight.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 01:32 am UTC (link)

Cas chuckled; "At least we know our limits. Snails and fish, it is. Even if we aren't sure what they eat!" There really was something sort of humorous about two adults debating the caretaking of aquatic creatures, particularly when one of them couldn't cook.

"Can I bake them in my obscene clothing, or do I get to go back to looking like a decent human being, not the whore of Babylon?" She teased. "Or, do you want one, then the other? I'm flexible, you know."

Wanting to people watch, she pointed to a table near the middle. "That one?"

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 01:36 am UTC (link)

"S'why there are books. So we can research those sorts of things." Benjy liked to research, even if it was 'useless facts', just so he had the knowledge.

He paused a little, and sort of grinned. "Wait. Wait, wait. Are you seriously offering to bake in an obscenely short dress? And I get to watch?" He nodded. "Oh yes. In the short dress please," he teased playfully.

Not that he'd protest that sort of baking. Not at all. What heterosexual male would? Charming bird offering to cook in fetching clothing? Food and sexy visuals - what more could he want?

"That one looks good," he said as he wove over toward it, gentlemanly holding out her chair for her with a grin and a wink.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 01:49 am UTC (link)

"Books, books, books: we should buy those, too," Cas added, absently. "And bookcases. Because it is not a flat until there are books in it."

Cas grinned, biting her lip. "Why not? I mean, it isn't like anyone else is going to see! Nor is it like the dress needs to be dry-cleaned." That had been one of the selling points for it, actually. She loathed a dry cleaning bill and having to remember to pick things up.

"Thank you," she said sitting down. Cas restrained the urge to giggle, enjoying her night. So, she thought,this is what I missed the first go around.

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 02:13 am UTC (link)

"Thought books were a given," he said before he grinned wickedly. "Think we should venture into every shop in the Alley. Just to see how things have changed. Then maybe venture to the Muggle side if we've got time." Oh yes. He was going to make a day of it and the girls were going to kill him by the end of it.

"Right then. Holding you to that," he said as the server stepped over with menus. He wouldn't really hold her to it, but if she was still volunteering tomorrow night, he'd be all about that.

Studying the menu, he smiled. "This is nice, huh? Not having to worry about ... everything we had to worry about before?"

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 02:19 am UTC (link)

"I'm for it. I haven't really gotten a lot of shopping in, and certainly not a lot of sightseeing in this brave new world. Come to think of it, I haven't even crossed over into Muggle territory once. I should really go see what the cinema is like one of these days..." she trailed off. She'd have to see how that Star Wars set had ended, too. The last she remembered, Han Solo was trapped in carbonite and Luke was missing a hand; it was funny how, for her, it had been a few months ago, but for everyone here, it had been forty years.

"I'm a girl of my word. Most of the time. Unless my word involves jalapeno peppers and wine, in which case, I should not at all be believed," she joked. She honestly wasn't sure if she'd follow through or not; it was a certainly a possibility, but depended on many many other things, particularly how bruised she would be after moving in.

"Yeah," she responded. "It's so peaceful; we actually get to grow up the normal way now. Go out and live without being terrified"

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 02:36 am UTC (link)

"Sounds like a plan. We'll see how long Lily can keep up with us then," he declared with a grin. He imagined she'd hold out for a bit, but even if she didn't stick around long, he and Cas could content themselves shopping all over.

"Peppers and wine? Is there a story behind that?" He leaned his elbows on the table as he perused the menu. The design had changed, the prices had increased, but the selection was about the same. A few new items, but lots of old favorites.

"It's nice," he repeated. "Not completely used to it. Still expecting something to happen. The other shoe to fall. Death Eaters to jump out and say boo. The Mark to be reported in the paper again." His eyes darkened slightly before he shook his head. "It'll get easier, I know," he said quietly. "Just ... you live that long with that sort of pressure looming over you, it's hard to shake."

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 02:49 am UTC (link)

"Pepper and wine comes from the summer I turned seventeen. I was out with cousin's on my mum's side of the family, the really lovely trouble-making side who appreciate a good dare. We'd all been drinking; we'd gone through the Butterbeer, and there was no Firewhiskey, so we were reduced to wine. Red wine. A few more sheets to the wind than I will ever admit to my parents, we tried mixing different things with the wine to make it taste better including, I don't know why, jalapeno pepper. My grandmum's friend had picked it up on a trip somewhere and we were curious." Cas grimaced at the memory. "Needless to say, it did not help the wine situation; it did, however, give me an appreciation for bread and milk." She laughed, remembering everyone's faces around the table. "Since then, I've avoided both wine and peppers, separately and in concert. I never want to feel like my tongue is going to be burned off ever again."

Tapping her finger against the menu, she looked at Benjy. "I know what you mean. I'm still expecting to be ambushed walking home, or going to get food. I know that this is a safe time, I realize that fully, but I can't shake off the habits from it not being a safe time. Wards, and whatnot." She paused, teeth worrying at her bottom lip. "I do like being able to believe that people are who they say they are without a round of questioning, though. Much more convenient."

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 03:02 am UTC (link)

Benjy laughed aloud at her story, ducking his head and covering his mouth with one hand. "Oh, Cas," he said as he shook his head. "Right then, when we go shopping, I'll be sure to avoid wine and peppers of any variety," he assured her, eyes sparkling.

"Don't think there's anything wrong with keeping up safety habits," he said softly, sobering a bit. "There are still dangers. Fenrir and Bellatrix and Merlin knows who else they managed to join up with now that they're back," he pointed out.

Not that he necessarily thought either of them would specifically be targets, but it wasn't as though they'd be immune to random attacks, either.

When their server came back over, he placed his (large) order and waited for Cas to place hers before handing off the menus.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 03:11 am UTC (link)

"It was ... a spectacular failure in judgment, to put it nicely; I got to see just how red my cheeks could go!" She said, dissolving into giggles. "I'm glad you won't expose me to such ... temptation again. Wouldn't want a repeat of that incident, now would we?" She teased.

Cas sighed. "I recognize that I am being a ridiculous thing, but the Fenrir bit worries me more than it should. I haven't come into contact with him, I haven't really heard anything about him, and there's no indication that he's up to anything malicious. At the same time, I was snooping about with a pack affiliated with him, and I'm relatively sure that he found out and I really don't fancy being anywhere near him, particularly because of that. Even with Wolfsbane, being bitten doesn't really strike me as pleasant."

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 03:47 am UTC (link)

Benjy shook his head slightly. "It isn't ridiculous, Cas," he said quietly. "He's dangerous, and if he's gotten back in with any of his connections since his return, it's a matter of time before he starts in again. If he hasn't already done something before we came back."

Benjy really wasn't sure how long Fenrir had been back, or how many moons there'd been or what the pack situation was like in this day and age.

"Snooping ... before or after you died?" If she'd been doing dangerous things since she'd been back ... but he assumed she meant before, and even so, that was less than pleasant to think about. Especially if Fenrir did know.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 11:54 am UTC (link)

"I haven't heard anything about him, but that doesn't mean anything. Before I ... before I died, I had gotten in pretty deep; that's why I thought he'd killed me. Now that he's back, and I don't know from when, I'm a bit worried." Though she hadn't heard anything, it didn't mean she wasn't a bit nervous for the upcoming moon. She remembered all too well the attacks, and the gore, and the headlines. While it seemed that lycanthropic rights had made strides, Greyback's brutality could set it all back.

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 02:16 pm UTC (link)

He nodded, then offered her a little grin. "Well, I'll be with you, and the half of the Order that's back and not in school, I'm sure would be willing to set up some defenses if it turns out you are a target."

While he wasn't keen to go throwing himself headlong into another war, if one started up, he'd be front and center again. Just like before.

"So, let's move on to more cheerful topics," he suggested. "Like, a color scheme for the flat so we at least have some idea of what colors to be looking at when we shop tomorrow."

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 04:48 pm UTC (link)

"Hmm.." Cas said, beginning to ponder. "I haven't really thought about anythin seriously, save for eradicating the white. I mean, save for some non-descript curtains and a sofa and kitchen table that go woth everything, the place is practically empty. I'm not really married to any idea, though, so I'm open to suggestions."

Cas couldn't begin to explain why she had been so hesitant to nest; her old life was gone, ended in a flash of light somewhere. The people she knew then, who still remained on that particular slice of time, understood she was missing at best, but most likely dead. There was no place to return to. This was home now, and she should be grateful for the second chance.

And she was. She was grateful to be able to go out to dinner and out to the clubs and shops without being afraid that something, or someone, would grab her. She was grateful to have her friends with her here and now, grateful for the chance to start over. Still, she missed her parents, missed her flat, missed the shops she used to frequent with the shopkeeps she had known.

It's either this, or death, she'd reminded herself. Obviously this was preferable.

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 05:40 pm UTC (link)

Benjy smiled, a very wicked smile. "We could pick up some paint," he offered, doing his best to look completely innocent despite the grin that said otherwise. "Rainbow splashes of paint all over the walls. Flecks on the ceiling. It'll be brilliant," he assured her before his eyes lit up.

"We could paint fish on the walls!"

There. Three or four birds with one brilliant paint brush.

He wasn't completely sure what had put the contemplative expression on her, but painted fish should surely help it.

He eased his arms off the table as their drinks arrived, and he grinned expectantly at her.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 07:55 pm UTC (link)

"I say we should splatter the walls with paint, then paint the fish on top. They should, of course, be very bright. It completely eliminates the feeding problem! We can't injure or neglect something that's a painted on a wall." Cas paused to take a sip of her butterbeer. "They could be giant fish, y'know. It would certainly get rid of the blandness of the place," she added, giggling.

"Also," she said, sitting up a little. "We need to find a good thrift shop. Things are the WWN are terrible! They make Celestina Warbeck sound marvelous, for Merlin's sake. Somewhere, someone still has to be selling good music on vinyl. Someone. Unless by some miracle, mine got salvaged, in which case, I might cry of happiness," she finished, the air of a joke in her voice.

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 08:06 pm UTC (link)

"Giant fish," Benjy agreed. "On top of paint splatters. Our own indoor underwater view," he proclaimed with a grin.

He leaned back slightly, grin on his lips as he listened to her go on about music. "I haven't had much of a chance to listen to whatever's on the air right now," he admitted. "But I am definitely up for the pursuit of familiar music."

He also made a note to find out what they were playing, so he'd have ample ammunition when it came time to make fun of it.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 08:22 pm UTC (link)

"Exactly!" She exclaimed. "It'll be ace. And very messy."

"I'm not even picky whether it's Muggle or Wizarding stuff we find. Just as long as we find good music, preferably familiar in tune and words. I haven't seen a turntable out anywhere, so let's assume they've gone out of vogue and will be cheap," she added. "If not on this side, I'm sure someone on the Muggle side will have one."

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of_the_fen
2010-05-14 09:13 pm UTC (link)

"Very messy," he agreed.

"Shouldn't be too hard," he agreed. "If nothing else, we can stick a want ad in the Prophet and maybe someone's got one up in their attic they wouldn't mind parting with."

A contented smile tugged his lips as he reflected over their plans, the possibilities in this world without war.

As their food was delivered, he grinned. "Definitely glad to be back," he murmured. Even if he didn't recall leaving.

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dorcas_m
2010-05-14 10:22 pm UTC (link)

"Someone has to. And we'll find good vinyls. But food first," she finished, picking up a fry. "What good will I be in chaos and furniture shopping if all I can think of is my need for food? None at all," she said, answering her own question.

For all the jokes she'd cracked about a normal life during the war, a vain attempt to keep spirits up, the reality of it was pretty ace. Imagining the state of the polished wood floors after the mad spree of painting made her smile. Life, different at it was, was good.

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