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Tweak says, "How did I get here?"

Zacharias Smith (en_zacharias) wrote in enigma_rpg,
@ 2009-01-24 20:38:00

Entry tags:

* complete, 2004-01, character: zacharias smith, retired character: penelope clearwater

RP: A date?
When: January 24, 2004
Who: Zach, Penny
Where: The Clio Wing at the British Museum (to start with)
Private/Public: Private though in a public place
Rating: All Ages
Summary: Zach and Penny go on a date to the museum, no doubt today's paper will be a topic for discussion.

Waking up to the morning paper had been quite a shock, and for a moment Zach had pondered cancelling on Penelope so that he could go into work. The Aurors would need him to sort out such a mess, no doubt, but then he had made arrangements and he did not like changing arrangements or backing down on agreements.

The office could wait until tomorrow – possibly even Monday as was proper – it would look a mess, no doubt, and the Aurors would never be able to do things properly without him, but then they'd make a mess no matter what, so yes, it could wait.

He dressed in proper dark blue robes, which he'd call classical rather than conservative, and made sure he looked proper before leaving the house and Apparating to the place of their meeting.

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	en_penelope 2009-01-26 11:38 am UTC (link)
	There was something about Zach that was incredibly comforting, and Penny found herself relaxing around him. There wasn't any stories of disappearances or murders walking round the exhibition. Just Zacharias. "Zach, can I ask you a question?" She paused. "Why haven't you considered taking up an apprenticeship or focusing more on your charmwork?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

en_zacharias
2009-01-26 11:57 am UTC (link)

The exhibit was incredibly interesting, and Zach found himself getting lost in the history, in the strength of a witch who took over her world. Not to mention that the magical artefacts of those days were absolutely magnificent.

So when Penelope spoke about something other than what they were viewing, he found himself being quite surprised. 'Of course you may,' he said waiting for the question, nearly laughing when it finally came. 'My charmwork?' he asked, blushing again. 'My charmwork is far from my strongest suit. Order, logic, structure, those are my biggest strengths.' He smiled. 'Besides, you don't get anywhere within the ministry from charmwork, I'm afraid. Making sure the Aurors office runs smoothly is only a first step.'

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	en_penelope 2009-01-26 12:49 pm UTC (link)
	"I'd employ you," she told him with a small smile. Her hand reached out, almost aching to touch the exhibit but her degree and three years working with Gringotts had taught her that touching can lead to badness, so she settled for letting her palm hover about the artefacts on display, the magic humming off her skin. "First step to what? The Ministry?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

en_zacharias
2009-01-26 12:58 pm UTC (link)

Zach smiled shyly, not really used to praise that didn't come from himself or his parents. 'I still would do better at the Ministry, there is so much that can be improved. They need structure and order - sometimes it's so chaotic you wonder how they get anything done there at all.'

He smiled. 'So that is a yes. I do want to become influential enough to make things run smoothly, show people what things can be like.'

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en_penelope
2009-01-26 01:15 pm UTC (link)

"I'm afraid I can't cover myself in tiny flashing badges for you, I've promised all that advertising space to my friend but I can certainly help with poster making. Its a hidden skill of mine."

She looked over at him from underneath her lashes. Penny had met a lot of people she considered friends through her shop, but she was very, very glad that Zach had wandered into her shop on an off chance.

"I'm glad I met you," she said aloud as her eyes drifted over the information labels.

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en_zacharias
2009-01-26 01:34 pm UTC (link)

Zach smiled, chuckling a bit. 'I'll happily accept the posters,' he said with a smile. 'May I ask who the friend who's competing with me is?' he then asked, curious. It never hurt to know your competition, after all.

Her next words made him blush again and he was starting to wonder if that was something she generally managed to do. He almost felt like a teenager.

'I'm really glad I met you too,' he said with a smile.

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	en_penelope 2009-01-26 01:57 pm UTC (link)
	"Percy Weasley. Disorganisation trembles at his approach. You're both rather alike actually." Perhaps that explained why she was so comfortable around him. Had he been anyone else, she would have hugged him but he was blushing and there was something very sweet about that. Yes, she was very very happy to have met Mr Zacharias Smith. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

en_zacharias
2009-01-26 02:16 pm UTC (link)

Percy Weasley... Zach pondered the name, then nodded. Of course he knew who he was, the head of the Wizengemot Administration Services. He smiled, though the thought did not appeal to him - that was a bit too much competition for his taste.

Of course he did not say that to Penelope, she seemed to like the man and if she did, well then he was sure the man was nice enough.

'Well it's a good thing for the Ministry that there are two people longing for some organisation at least,' he said instead, smiling a bit, then a bit more. There was something about her, about the way she looked at him right then that made him feel rather important.

'Have you seen this?' he asked, not sure what to say next and instead pointing to an artifact found in Hatshepsut's temple.

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en_penelope
2009-01-26 02:36 pm UTC (link)

"Indeed. Perhaps you two could negotiate to take over the Ministry together. Although, I would be the first in line to apply for the position of official bookshop."

Her eyes followed his fingers and she found herself oohing over a set of writing implements used during the time. They looked so achingly fragile and so old but she could imagine too easily a hand holding them to inscribe papyri with hieroglyphs.

"Its gorgeous," she breathed softly "Amazing to think that some of the spells we use today were written down by things like this. Miranda Goshawks Ancient Spellbook of Egypt?"

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en_zacharias
2009-01-26 11:36 pm UTC (link)

Her enthusiasm was catching and he smiled widely as he heard her speak, nodding and mumbling some pointless reply before moving them on to the next artefact, and the next.

By the time they'd looked at it all and exited the exhibit, it was already getting darker and at least Zach's legs were beginning to feel a bit heavy. He smiled at Penelope, then looked down the street. 'I think you mentioned a glass of wine?' he asked with a smile, waiting for her to lead the way this time.

He almost wondered how it was that he could be so comfortable around her, as he really wasn't comfortable around anyone normally, not completely, not even Hannah or Susan. With Penelope he found himself wanting to spend more time around her though, and it surprised him.

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en_penelope
2009-01-27 01:27 pm UTC (link)

"I did," she said as she pulled her cardigan tighter around herself as they stepped out of the museum and into the chilly London air.

"Theres this little wine bar round the corner, its muggle but really rather lovely. I think it used to be an old bank or something. I hope you like it."

Picking her way across the cobbled stones she shot a look at him over her shoulder before pushing open the door to the bar.

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