Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Ryoiki tenkai!"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

Ernest (Ernie/Ern) Macmillan ([info]ernsthename) wrote in [info]pandorarpg,
@ 2012-02-13 23:14:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:!status: complete, ^date: november 16 2003, character: ernie macmillan, character: justin finch-fletchley

Characters: Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley and if anyone else is left at Ern's after Seamus leaves.
Setting: Ern's flat, 301 Roseglen Flats; November 16, 01:12
Rating: Worksafe.
Summary: Catching up after a bit of chaos.

Exhausted wasn't quite enough to describe how Ern was right as Seamus had left for St. Mungo's. It didn't capture the unease that he felt at his core, what ate away at what was left of his sanity. The mix of anger, grief, guilt, fear and even a touch of joy at Dean being found. He wasn't sure of the state Dean was in, but alive seemed to be good enough for him at this moment.

That afternoon while guests had come, Ernie had taken to meticulous task of spelling the dishes that had fallen earlier that day together once more. And he wouldn't let anyone help him. He needed something to draw his attention to, even if it's the most obscure chip in a glass...it was a distraction enough. (He knew that it could easily be smoothed over with a quick and simple spell but dealing with things logically wasn't something he needed right now.)

That night after Seamus had left Ernie had taken to sitting and staring at corners, windows, fireplaces and moving paintings; as if expecting something to materialize there. Perhaps an accusatory ghost from his ex-girlfriend, an owl with more bad news, or something worse that he couldn't quite fathom. The last made him cringe as he wasn't really sure whether it could get any worse. He knew that it wasn't quite a reasonable thing to do or generally a helpful way to think, but he couldn't help it. He was tired, but at the same time he wasn't interested in falling asleep. Not after what happened the other day.


(Post a new comment)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-14 04:46 am UTC (link)
Justin was still a little wired from the events of the day, at least enough so that sleep was still a distant thought. He walked over to the couch where Ernie had been sitting and spending far too much time staring at nothing. He flopped down next to his best mate, taking care not to spill either of the bottles of warm lager in his hands, nor the leftover chinese food he'd gone out to get earlier for everyone. He used one of the bottles to tap Ernie's forehead.

"Hey there, sunshine. If you're not gonna talk, least you can do is make yourself useful by helping me drink some of this lager."

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-14 04:59 am UTC (link)
Ernie looked at Justin, taking a moment to actually realize and adjust to the presence of his best mate. Even if he were there for just about the entire day. "Err--no I'm alright, thanks though," he said to the offer of lager. He wasn't in the mood for much of anything, whether it be food or drink or conversation.

"At least Dean's still alive," he commented, as the thought just entered his mind again. He would've had said such with a sigh of relief if there was one to be had from himself, but Ern still felt quite tense. He still couldn't help but think about the conniption that Seamus had earlier in the day when he found out that Dean had been considered a suspect in Mrs. Finnigan's death. It was part of protocol that they had to consider any suspects...something that Ernie never really did think to inform Seamus.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-14 05:06 am UTC (link)
With a sigh, Justin put the second bottle on the table where, if Ernie changed his mind, it was perfectly within reach.

"Yes, Dean's alive, which is absolutely, amazingly wonderful. Whatever happened to him, I'm sure he'll get through it, especially with Seamus there for him."

He took a bite from his takeout box - he'd always loved chopsticks over forks - then swigged from his bottle to wash it down.

"And the same will be said about Shiv." He didn't want to speak his last thought aloud, that the reason Shiv would come out alive was likely because Greyback would turn her into a werewolf, but hey, alive was alive, wasn't it?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-14 05:20 am UTC (link)
At the mention of Shiv, Ernie buried his face in his hands as if wishing the guilt would just disappear. But it wouldn't since in Ernie's mind he deserved to live it second by second.

"I hope she'd forgive me. If she ever has the chance to. If only I had the better sense to not make her apply when the DMLE was hiring. What sort of boyfriend encourages his girlfriend to apply to a job where this could happen?" Of course what happened was largely a bit of a freak occurence, but Justin would have the idea. "I could've done more to prevent this really--and now she's at the hands of a monster. If she doesn't die, she'll live a tormented life."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-14 05:28 am UTC (link)
Justin's heart ached for his best mate, but first things first. He rested his bottle between his legs and used his hand to smack Ernie upside the head.

"How many times do I have to remind you that you didn't exactly force her. She could have said no, and if I remember right, she was pretty happy to get the position. And before you go on, I'm going to warn you that you're starting to sound like a sexist arse. Your job is dangerous, so it would be pretty hypocritical to avoid certain types of jobs because they're dangerous too. You arse."

He snuggled back into the couch, his shoulder rubbing against his friend's in comfort. "What could you have done? Tied her up and locked her in a closet? Wouldn't have worked, mate. The world's a dangerous place, and something could have happened anywhere. She could have been working at that Apothecary in Hogsmeade and been accidentally killed when those things destroyed it. Or she could have been minding her own business and been killed by the witch that killed Harry and Seamus' mum. You've got to get over this guilt trip, mate. It's not all your fault - frankly, you're not that important." The last was said with an attempt at a smile.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-14 05:46 am UTC (link)
Ernie looked up with surprise once Justin's hand made contact with the back of his head. Surprised at least somewhat out of his wallowing.

Ernie was going to argue, but it sounded exactly like an argument he had with Shiv. They had fought over it several times already before breaking up. "It doesn't have as much to do with her being female, although it doesn't add much in her favour in such a place. She was just too...nice...and just too naive...to be working with those sorts. They thrive on that sort of thing and it was only a matter of time before something like this would happen."

"I know that freak accidents happen far too often, but you can almost certainly can expect something to go wrong there--in Azkaban." He sighed at the last bit, which was true since he didn't do everything to cause this, but he knew that he had a hand to play in this. "Ok, I know I didn't cause everything, but she could've been better off."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-14 05:51 am UTC (link)
"Yeah, she'd definitely have been better off in a soul-sucking job where she never gets to use her considerable talents and has no meaning in her life. Excellent idea!"

He only just refrained from using his chopsticks to throw some noodles at Ernie, instead putting them to better use in his own stomach where they would be appreciated.

"All things considered, Azkaban's actually safer than most places. Guards all over the place and all that. It was just a freak incident that with the things all over, that all the experienced guards were sent out to deal with them and the newbies had run of the place. I doubt that's ever happened before. With luck like that, Shiv should have bought a lottery ticket."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-14 06:00 am UTC (link)
"There are plenty of other jobs out there that don't involve working with those sorts," Ernie said, quite clear on his opinion on 'those sorts' with his tone of voice. He was of course, often tasked with the job of dragging these people in to the Ministry, often after having to subdue them. His opinion of 'those sorts' was quite low, to say the least.

"It wasn't the only job out there--it was probably the only job the Ministry was looking to fill at the time though. But other jobs do come along soon enough though and it wasn't as if she didn't already have a job she was leaving. She could've done much better working at the Ministry."

"Well maybe, but that's because they had dementors in the past. Not that I'd suggest that she work there when those were around."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 03:11 am UTC (link)
Justin felt momentarily helpless. He wanted to help Ernie get through this, but his usual methods of levity were sorely out of place after the day they'd had and the events that had transpired.

"Ernie, the most you're guilty of is trying to help a friend, and have it accidentally backfire on him. You told her your concerns when she was offered the job, and she made her own decision knowing what you had told her. Shiv wouldn't want you feeling bad over this."

He sighed and lay his head on his best mate's shoulder, something he'd often done and would always do whenever they needed comfort of some kind. "You sure it's not just because you might still have feelings for her?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 03:41 am UTC (link)
Ernie sighed deeply, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders that just wouldn't quite go away no matter what he did. "And did it ever backfire." He wasn't sure if she would or wouldn't have wanted him to feel bad over this, but he just did, and couldn't quite shake that feeling.

He considered what Justin had suggested and asked, and felt a knot somewhere in the back of his throat, somewhere. "Well, it isn't as if that just goes away because of an argument." Or many of those. And in the end the argument was about her well-being above anything else. He at the very least still felt a deep sense of obligation towards her. That counted, right?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 03:52 am UTC (link)
"Of course it doesn't just go away," Justin replied, shaking his head sadly against Ernie's shoulder. "You guys didn't break up because you didn't care for each other anymore. It was all the other shite that got in the way. And you know what? That makes it okay to be sad and worried about her, without having to feel guilty out of some duty or something."

He poked at Ernie's thigh with his chopsticks. "And again, that's why I stay single."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 04:08 am UTC (link)
"I don't know how you do it," Ernie said. He wasn't sure whether it was the best thing, but it probably did absolve Justin of a lot of what Ern felt right now.

"And you haven't fathomed not being single? I'm surprised there hasn't been anyone who could've convinced you of that. It isn't such a bad thing when it works."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 04:22 am UTC (link)
"Well, I have considered it before, long ago, year after graduating. I met a few girls that I liked enough to think about it, but you know me, I put all my cards on the table. One wasn't into the 'open relationship' thing, another wanted kids because she was in her 30s, and another... you know, I can't remember, but it was a deal-breaker at the time. But after all that, I kind of realized that it was useless, because I wasn't going to meet someone who fit me, and I didn't want to go into something half-arsed and end up hurting someone I cared about."

He speared a piece of broccoli and chomped on it. He shrugged to himself, as if pushing away an image in his mind that wouldn't go away. "And let's say I did meet someone absolutely amazing, who I wanted to see more than once a month, who I wanted to know inside and out, and who didn't freak out at my stranger fantasies, and who was okay with the poly thing and all that... she'd probably be the daughter of a death eater whose family would hate me and brains bigger than mine, who'd be slated for death like you and Mum and Anthony."

He washed the all-too-specific-to-be-random words down with a swig of lager.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 04:34 am UTC (link)
Ernie had watched Justin as he went on to describe this person. "So there is someone," he first concluded.

Of course he soon followed with the most logical and obvious question: "Who is she?" Given that that her father was a Death Eater, it may be the name of a family he'd recognize. The community of pureblooded folk wasn't that wide.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 04:42 am UTC (link)
"I never said there was anyone," Justin hedged, avoiding Ernie's gaze and concentrating on another drink of his lager. "I said if. If doesn't mean there's someone. I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley, after all - I don't do romance and relationships and shite like that."

He ignored the fact that he was starting to sound like a petulant child.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 04:51 am UTC (link)
"And yet you're not looking me in the eye." Ernie stated that simple fact quite plainly as he tried to look his friend in the eye.

"You're Justin Finch-Fletchley, who would need the same things as just about any other sort of human being out there, and happens to be a rather poor liar. Especially after a drink."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 05:00 am UTC (link)
Justin sighed, a little defeated but still did his best to look nonchalant about the whole deal.

"She's just someone I met at the library, during the whole inferi thing. And then chatted with over the journals. And then had over Friday night too. And then had to explain the DA without explaining the DA... which reminds me, I should send her a private message later and let her know that things are mostly okay for now."

He shrugged, still not looking Ernie in the eye. "It's nothing, really. Her name's Astoria Greengrass, is an obliviator so maybe you've worked together."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 05:25 am UTC (link)
"Greengrass," Ernie was familiar with the family name and even the name of the particular individual. He knew that Justin was right about the family being involved with the Death Eaters. He remembered hearing about her father's case at some point, but the details of which had fallen into a blur of the many cases of that point in time.

"And Astoria--I've seen her in the Department a few times here and there. She hadn't been assigned to work with our team yet, but I'm sure at some point we'd cross paths." He paused for a moment before adding. "Maybe this is time to bring out the champagne though, I'd never quite imagine getting Justin Finch-Fletchley to actually admit to it."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 05:30 am UTC (link)
"If you've seen her, then you know she's quite fit," he said with his patented waggling eyebrows, trying to bring things back to a more lowbrow humour level. The last thing he wanted was to talk seriously about any bird.

"Champagne? What for? And admit to what? You're not making much sense, Macmillan," he said with a snort.

Though despite it all, it was nice to see his friend in better spirits.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 05:43 am UTC (link)
"Well of course, but obviously you've found something else that makes you think she's more than a good shag."

"And yes, champagne for finally admitting to meeting someone who captures your interest for more than a couple of times in a month. I don't think I'd want to say more unless I just mess it up and your--her," he said with a grin that said it knew more than it would share at this particular moment.

"In any case, she must be one extraordinary bird."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 05:50 am UTC (link)
Justin sighed and thumped his head back against the couch. "All right, she's interesting. And charming. And funny, and adventurous..."

He smiled as he remembered their first meeting. "She definitely makes hiding from inferi fun, that's for sure."

And then, much to his surprise... Justin felt his cheeks flush. He couldn't remember the last time he'd blushed, had in fact come to believe himself incapable of it anymore, but there it was. "Promise you'll kill me if I turn into one of those soppy blokes incapable of talking about anything other than their lover?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 06:01 am UTC (link)
Ernie grinned at Justin's rendition of his romantic interest. Just since he hasn't heard Justin speak this way of anyone. It was more often than not that it was the other way around.

"I don't think I'd have much choice but to do that if it becomes too much," Ernie said with a joking grin. He paused to consider and added a few comments aloud. "And if you did, you'd probably be too happy to notice that it won't be as horrible as it seems from the outside."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-15 06:05 am UTC (link)
Justin groaned, both at Ernie's statement and at himself in general.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter. We've only just met and are getting to know each other. For all I know, I'll find out something horrible about her, or she'll find a deal-breaker in me, and that'll be it. Or even more likely, her family will hate me on sight just because I'm Muggleborn and will threaten to disown her if she keeps associating with me. Fun times that."

He took one final swig of his drink, emptying it in one shot. "Again, that's why I stay single. No commitments, no pressure, no disowning."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-15 06:25 am UTC (link)
"Well, despite your complaints, it isn't as bad as you say it is. And I've been there and back again enough to have some idea of some of the difficulties and I still find it worthwhile. Sometimes I can't tell whether it's me being thick or just being stubborn."

He shrugged at the list of reasons that it may nto work that Justin seemed to be making for himself. "And I'm not saying it'd be easy," he added, feeling his own difficulties being reflected back on him when Justin brought up the potential for family conflict. "And occasionally people have to make choices that would hurt either way. That's life, you know?"

"And for all you know, the commitments, pressure and disowning may not be as bad as you think it would be. But you never know until you get there," Ernie said, trying to shrug it off in a nonchalant manner.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]basilisk_srvivr
2012-02-16 12:34 am UTC (link)
"All right," Justin agreed with a shrug, finally giving his friend a small smile. "Either way, we'll wait and see. It's too early for anything anyway. One day at a time and all that." He smirked. "So hold onto that champagne a little longer. Hell hasn't frozen over quite yet."

All the talk about feelings and possible relationships had him thinking back to where the night had begun, with Seamus and Dean. They just fit so well together, and Justin couldn't help be envious of them for that and how they were always there for each other.

"And Dean better come home soon, after all this. Fuck-ups like us need an example like them." Of course, he'd simply be happy if his friend was all right. They'd been so worried.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]ernsthename
2012-02-16 03:03 am UTC (link)
"Well alright then," Ernie said, still grinning at his friend. "In any case, I'm happy for you." Ernie was always of the impression that there was someone out there for everyone and that Justin had finally met someone who was right for him.

Ernie smile faltered somewhat despite feeling relieved that Dean was alive. He was feeling cautious with his optimism around Dean's condition. He hoped it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. "Of course--I think he'd be fine though no matter what--Seamus wouldn't have it any other way," he said, conveying more optimism than he felt. "They make an excellent couple."

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs