Who: Ophelia, Orestes and Bailey Where: Marble City Restaurant When: Wednesday 5 August, Lunch Warning: None Status: Closed, Complete
Orestes smiled as he moved to open the door of the small cafe that they had agreed to meet Bailey at. It was one of those rare occasions that their parents would give them extra money to go out and eat because they wanted to keep a good face with Emerson family. But beyond that, he enjoyed spending time with Bailey, both he and Lia did.
Catching sight of the dark haired woman, he smiled and walked towards the table, making sure Lia was following close. “Sorry if we’re late. I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
Bailey closed her small notebook and set aside her pen as her friends joined her. She smiled when she saw them. They had known each other since they were little, the Emerson family was among the oldest families in America, and wealthy enough that the pureblooded families overlooked the peculiarity of their interactions with muggles.The muggles were from other old-money families in Boston and had helped solidify the fiscal power of the family. And really, Bailey was probably pure enough for most, even if there were numerous muggles in her ancestry. She was clearly pure enough that the Sinclair family had long set up playdates with Bailey and the twins. Over the years, these formal dates though had allowed the youngsters for form a real friendship, at least Bailey hoped. It was sometimes hard to tell if her friends actually considered her a friend or if she was simply someone they were more tolerant of. Actually, that was probably their definition of friends.
"Not long. I haven't even ordered," Bailey reassured them, inviting them to join her table. "I'm glad you were able to make it out." She knew enough of their family to know the more time they spent away from home the better. Unfortunately her 'broken' home rarely offered enough respite, even if she could help the with occasional sleep-overs.
Ophelia followed Orestes, as was her custom, her red hair hanging slightly over her face. She was glad to be out honestly, she enjoyed Bailey as company as much as she did anyone. She didn't consider many people friends but Bailey was one of the few, and she offered a slight wave as she seated herself on one of the chairs.
Once they were all settled, she motioned at the book curiously, a question in her eyes. She wanted to know what it was - curiosity was one of her traits when it came to people she liked.
Sliding into the chair across from Bailey, he smiled and gave a polite nod. If asked, he considered Bailey one of his few true friends. He openly spoke with her when he was the one talking and he cared about her wellbeing. What more mattered than those two things?
“We’re grateful we could as well. Lia’s been painting and the scent is stronger than normal unfortunately. Which means I have to sneak out more than usual just to get a breath of fresh air.” He joked lightly, glancing at his sister. Noticing the look. he motioned towards the notebook. “Lia says she’s curious about what you were doing, if you don't mind saying.”
Bailey nodded slightly as Orestes mentioned Lia's paintings. "The one she just shared on the new tablets was very nice… but I can imagine how the smell of the oils and stuff get in the heat of the summer." Especially since the Sinclair twins were likely to keep the painting deep in their rooms and away from their parents.
Bailey had noted the indication from Lia, but smiled at Orestes translation too. "Like Lia is painting all summer, I'm playing. It's my accounts ledger… I found a bar with poker tables in the back that I could charm my way into." Bailey was very careful about tracking her gambling.
Ophelia grinned at the conversation her brother and Bailey were having. Just because she wasn't verbally taking part didn't mean she wasn't taking part at all. She nodded when Bailey explained what she was doing in the book, a tiny smirk curving the edges of her lips. She knew the other girl had fun with numbers games, strategy, things like that. It didn't make much sense to her but she imagined it could be fun if you were good at it.
“Yeah, the heat just seems to make it worse, despite the windows being opened.” Orestes nodded and chuckled. “Have you been winning and taking them for all they were worth.” Because that was the only time that gambling was fun, and with the way Bailey was with numbers it would make sense.
“I almost wish I was lucky enough to try if you managed to charm yourself to the table. But I’d rather keep a safer hold on my money for books instead.” That was what he usually tried to spend his funds on, money and stuff of the like.
Bailey nodded at the description of the smell of the paints. "One must always suffer for their art somehow," she said with a smile. Her hand was resting on the cover of her ledger, having caught Lia's smirk and following the verbal conversation with Orestes she smiled a little. 'I break even if I can't win."
Bailey never risked more than she had. She wasn't a gambling addict, seeking the high of the risk. She was a strategist, betting when the odds were in her favour. "It's probably not the best place for an underage witch, but a bit of a glamour does a lot." She'd be smart to have some kind of bodyguard with her - a witch or wizard old enough to legally cast magic or someone physical enough to protect her if a game went bad. But she was going to continue to play the odds in that game too. "But no risk no gain."
“Sadly, it is not my art that I suffer for. I still have no gift for it. Lia managed to suck it all away in the womb. I cannot even color in the lines.” He wasn’t that bad, but he liked to joke about how it seemed to be that way when compared to his sister. Lia was that gifted.
Though he wasn’t surprised that Bailey always broke even at least. It was a skill she had naturally and he was always tempted to try to learn to do the same. “Though you are right and a young witch shouldn’t be there alone at least. Do you not know anyone willing to go with you?”
Bailey grinned, waving her hand a little. "You get to enjoy her art more than the rest of us since you can watch Lia create them. And I know you are exaggerating about your own ability… I remember our coloring books when we were little." It was nice having the long-term familiarity with them.
She smiled at Orestes concern. "I'm am Emerson, I shouldn't be playing cards for money at all, never mind in the backroom of a bar," she pointed out. "I just discovered it since coming back." She could probably find someone to go with her, but hadn't even bothered to try, so didn't address that question. After all, she was the card shark, she ought to be able to know when a situation was turning before she couldn't get away.
Ophelia laughed softly at the comments going back and forth. She was pretty certain Bailey could defend herself subtly at least as well as she and Orestes could. They all grew up together after all, and while Bailey was a Ravenclaw, her two best friends were Slytherin and that meant something.
The commentary on her talents had, however, brought a blush to her cheeks and she ducked her head to cover the colour with her hair. She did have a skill, yes, but people talking about it in public was odd to her, even if it was two of the people who knew her best.
Orestes still worried. While she was right and she shouldn’t be playing cards when she went out, that didn't stop her. He just felt protective over her. She was one of the few friends he felt truly close to and that made him care more than he did for anyone but his sister.
“If you need someone to go with you once. I might offer my services. Though I fear that I may only be awkward while there.” After all, he was the most social of men and when without his sister, it was far more rare for him to speak. “And you are right. I do get to enjoy Lia’s art quite a bit more, watching as it comes into being. But I also think you overestimate my own gifts. It was Lia who always told me how to color in the books. I think you were a bit more naturally gifted than I there.”
Bailey knew that Orestes worried, which was in part why she hadn't told him before now. Lia she could've told, but everything Lia knew, she assumed Orestes did as well, such was the nature of their relationship. She appreciated Orestes gallantry in offering to go, but knew he likely would hate the entire experience. "I'd rather do things with you that you enjoy than making you suffer out of a sense of obligation. You know I'm careful." She reassured him.
Her smile teased, "Oh, I know your gifts. You might not be the painter Ophelia is, but few are. It doesn't mean you do not have gifts." There was a lightness in her gaze, and she turned to Ophelia for quiet agreement.
Ophelia watched quietly, observing her friend and her brother talking. It was nice to be around them and while she did worry about Bailey doing what she did, the girl would not be likely to accept much of their help in it. They had all grown up self sufficient to some degree, though Lia did depend on Orestes regularly, as he did her.
When Bailey commented on Orestes having gifts she nodded slightly. He did, and she knew he was more skilled at some things than he let on. She reached to pat his hand and smiled- he was the only person she tended to touch freely. There wasn't much she would see from him she didn't already know, after all.
“If you are sure. But please, do not feel that I mind you asking if you do need me. You are important to us after all Bailey. You are our closest friend. “ And they would both regret if anything happened to her that they could stop.
Feeling his sister’s comforting touch, he squeezed her hand and moved to thread their fingers together and relaxing. He always felt better when he was close to his sister. “Yes, well my gifts aren't quite as visible as Lia’s. Mine usually involve a thirst for knowledge and a gift for potions.”
"I'm one of those independent women you hear about." Bailey teased with a smile. It was though the reason she had begun studying financials and numerics. She was not going to repeat her mother's mistakes. "But it is good to be reminded how much I can count on you." She valued that knowledge.
She grinned as Orestes began to admit some of his gifts. "Yes, I am in NEWTs potions because of your help all these years." She wasn't terrible in the subject, but it did not come nearly as easy to her as Arithmancy did to her, or potions did for him. "I appreciate that too."
They both had skill in potions, though Ophelia tended to express hers differently. It was something she kept rather quiet- there was no need to let on that she could brew just about any poison that was in their books, and some that weren't.
A small smile as they discussed the help Orestes had given Bailey. It was something they did to keep the girl with them, she thought. NEWT potions was not easy to get into, and while the twins got the spots easily, Ophelia knew that some others had struggled with the OWL and needed extra study.
“Independant? Be careful not to say that around either of our families.” He teased again, thinking about how traditional his family could be sometimes. He was honestly surprised that they had not tried to set up marriages for either of them yet. But it was best not to tempt fate.
The mention of the help in potions earned a small smile from Orestes and a shrug. “We would much rather have you with us in class, so any aid we can offer, both Lia and I have always been eager to give. Though I would always appreciate some more help with Arithmancy as always.”
Bailey rolled her eyes at the reminder about how traditional their families (well her father's side at least) were. She tapped the ledger. "Hence the private accounting of my funds. Daddy gets all of my credit card statements - and reads them. This is all cash, and separate from anything he or Mom might ever see." At least she didn't have to worry about arranged marriages. However the approval process for anyone she might select… The person had to be from a prominent family - muggle or wizard didn't matter, but new money was discouraged strongly. Everyone said that was why her parent's marriage had ended the way it had.
"Arithmancy is easy," Bailey said with a smile as they teased each other about classes. "But it will be much more fun to be able to have so many classes together now, rather than only a couple classes together each year."
Ophelia wrinkled her nose at the mention of their families and rolled her eyes. Wealthy they were, but there were many things she could not understand. Why bother with training the girls to submit and do housework? Wasn't that what house elves were for? And she liked being able to control her own life. She didn't need anyone to help her with that but Orestes.
She blinked at Bailey saying arithmancy was easy. She disagreed - this being why she didn't take it- though she knew the other girl was much better with numbers than she was. "Yes." A soft reply to the comment about them sharing classes, and she looked down at her hands, falling quiet again.
.“Well that is one way to keep your matters private. It is tempting to find a way to make some private accounts for both Ophelia and I. Maybe we should give you some of our pocket money to ‘invest’” It was actually quite a tempting idea. He knew when they finished school, there were quite a few things that could happen because of their parents, being thrown out of the house was just one option.
“Agreed, It will be nice to enjoy more time together.” It was one thing that was always a bit of a disappointment, the separation that their difference in houses caused. At least he and Lia were in the same. “So, any more plans for the rest of the summer?”
She smiled a little, seeing Orestes mind working as he thought about private accounts. "They make joint accounts as well." She pointed out. They did not necessarily need separate accounts after all. She hadn't considered 'investing' for others before, but this was Ophelia and Orestes. And she was careful enough that she wouldn't lose their money if entrusted with it. She did have a private bank account, but only because she didn't want to have to get a dragon to protect her cash. Way too obvious.
Bailey smiled at Ophelia's word - that she spoke aloud indicated as much as the word itself about how she felt about having classes together. "I'm hoping to get another visit in with Daddy before the end of the summer, but mostly I think I'm here in Marble City with mom until we go back." Which meant she would probably have plenty of opportunity to 'sneak out' and find card games. "What about you guys?"
“Joint accounts. That might be a good idea actually. An account for the both of us.” He said, glancing at his sister. They were almost old enough to be free and that meant planning for things like money and housing once school was over. And ‘investing’ with their friend seemed like a smart idea. Bailey was always careful and she knew of the concerns that the two twins had.
“That sounds nice actually, With the summer almost over it’ll be good to have you around a bit more often. As for us, probably read more while Lia paints. It’s the usual routine after all. Mother and father have summer parties they’re attending on the weekends which has given us quite a bit more freedom around the house, but both they and I are eager for the semester to start once more.” Summer was never a favorite time for Res. It meant dealing with their parents and he’d rather not.
Bailey smiled as the twin communicated silently about the idea of joint accounts and their future financial situation. She was used to the depth they could convey without much outward signal. "I do have good ideas on occasion." And she knew too with their closeness even if they had separate bank accounts, they would do the exact same things with them anyway.
Bailey actually enjoyed society parties most of the time, having grown up with them, but knew her friends enjoyed that kind of socialization far less than she did. Even she felt it was just a duty sometimes, she didn't mind playing the part. However he friends were different. "So long as they don't host until you return to school and force you to make appearances, that sounds like a good solution for the summer."
A slight nod was offered at the idea of a joint account. Storing away their extra money and saving to get a place would be a very good thing in her mind. The pair of them needed an escape eventually. She hated where they were. A new home would make things much easier.
"Not wanted there." She spoke softly, but it was a fact she was grateful for. She didn't like parties at all, so having to go with her parents was horrible.
“Merlin, I hope they don't end up throwing any parties.” He made a face at that. Usually that was the only time that he and Lia were required to look and act the part of proper purebloods. And even when they tried, it wasn't enough. They stayed to close. Lia never spoke, or he would get angry at someone and that would just be the end of that.
He shook his head at the memories and instead focused back at Bailey and his sister. “So, speaking of social gatherings, are you planning on making an appearance at Serafina’s summer party?” While he wasn't a fan of parties, he didn't want to insult the fellow Slytherin.
"Probably. She's good family." Bailey was as conscious of the social nuances of Pureblood society even though she technically was not Pure by some standards because of muggles in her ancestry. Generally money helped overcome any of those concerns, and her family had money in both wizard and muggle worlds.
"You are skipping it, I assume?" Bailey asked. Her friends were far less social than she was. She could only imagine Ophelia in a swimsuit in a crowd by the pool… looking entirely out of place and eager to escape.
"Don't want to." Ophelia shrugged one shoulder and looked to Orestes. If he went she would go. If he didn't she wouldn't. It was all depending on what he wanted. She trusted that whatever happened he would be there.
“I’m not sure. As you said, she’s from a good family and I’m honestly a bit afraid to get on her bad side.” Serafina was not a woman he wanted to anger. She was perfectly polite until you pissed her off after all. “But I also have little desire to be around most of our classmates, and especially with them at a pool. It just sounds like an invitation for disaster.”
Honestly, he’d rather just spend the day with Lia, but they did still have to think about the outside world, and would their parents get mad if he didn't at least try to be sociable.
"Maybe plan on coming for lunch or dinner, and crying off with previous engagement for the rest of the day." Bailey suggested, knowing her friends would know how to make such a thing work. "Like we're doing now - lunch gives something to do other than watching everyone swim and splash about like idiots. And well, I'll be there," Bailey teased with a grin.
“That’s not a bad idea honestly. We could stop for a few minutes, be seen long enough to be polite and then go home.” It was a fine plan and Bailey was always better at being polite and managing to get out of certain obligations like the party.
“And then I will look forward to seeing you there. We both will.” But for now, he’d much rather focus on the here and now and finish their lunch together while they had the time.