InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "The penguins are coming!!!!"

May Castellan (greeknotlatin) wrote in scotopia,
@ 2008-04-16 14:33:00

Who: Hestia and Frank
What: Catching up? Chatting!
Where: DMLE//Auror Offices
When: This afternoon- April 16

Hestia felt like a terrible mentor. Friend. Whatever she was. It had been a busy week for her- after the attack, she was called in early to work the next day, covering for a few of the Aurors who had been injured, and she hadn't had a chance to go check up on her friends. Today, though, she was going to change that. She'd already checked on a couple of the aurors that she had mentored for a short while, and then thought she'd check up on Frank. They hadn't talked in a while, and she always did have a sort of fondness for the bloke-- he always seemed so shy around her, though. Ah, well.

It was almost lunch time- but not quite, so she was pretty sure that she would find him at his desk. She hoped she would, at least.

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earlyspring
2008-04-17 03:21 am UTC (link)

It had been a long week so far, and it was only Wednesday. Frank had been into work every day since he'd been released from the hospital- staying extra hours, usually until someone made him leave. He hadn't pulled hours like that since he was fresh out of training, eager to prove himself.

The lunch hour had snuck up on him. Frank was at his desk, working on writing up yet another report from the weekend, when it suddenly felt like he was being watched. He shoved the feeling aside- at least until he finished the sentence he was writing- before looking up. Hestia hadn't been who he expected to see, and he did a bit of a double-take before smiling. "Hestia! Er, hello!" Frank glanced over his shoulder at the messy desk now behind him, suddenly self-conscious about it with his old trainer in the office.

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greeknotlatin
2008-04-17 03:28 am UTC (link)

"Hey, love," she replied with a smile. "Am I bothering you?" She moved toward him, pausing a couple of steps from the other side of his desk. "I was just checking up on you- we haven't really seen each other in a while, and I heard about what happened to you this weekend. Bit rough for all of us, really..." She lifted a shoulder in a shrug and let one hand move to her waist as she looked back to Frank.

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earlyspring
2008-04-17 03:36 am UTC (link)

"Not at all!" Frank insisted, quickly. He glanced around- there was another chair near his desk, though it, too, had papers on it. He stood, moving to clear it off- he wasn't sure how long Hestia wanted to stay, but he could at least offer her a place to sit. "Erm, yeah- it's rough for everyone these days, I suppose..." He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck a moment. "You made it through alright, too, though? Well, obviously. Still," he smiled, "I'm glad for that."

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	greeknotlatin 2008-04-17 03:42 am UTC (link)
	"Thanks," she said, taking the seat he offered. She didn't plan on visiting for too long- they both had work to do, really- but she wouldn't mind chatting for a few minutes. "Yes, I made it just fine. I was late- I didn't hear about it until it was already nearly over. "How are you doing? I heard you were hurt pretty bad..." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

earlyspring
2008-04-17 03:56 am UTC (link)

"Still, I'm sure you helped-" Frank felt himself flush a bit at the mention of his injury, but he couldn't exactly deny it. "I- well, yeah. I got hit with a stunner in the back, and knocked my head when I fell. A bit embarrassing, really." Or at least it seemed like it, now. "Spent two days in St. Mungo's, and then another night recovering at home." With Alice's help- which he nearly mentioned aloud, but stopped himself.

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	greeknotlatin 2008-04-17 10:56 am UTC (link)
	"Not nearly enough," she said, waving a hand dismissively. She smiled, faintly, at his blush, and leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs at the ankles. "Embarrassing, perhaps, but better that than something else, I'm sure. I'm glad you're doing well, though." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-17 12:48 pm UTC (link)
	"Still," Frank insisted, grinning a bit now. "It couldn't have even been a cool injury, you know? With a dashing scar and everything. No- me, I get knocked over from behind." He shook his head. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-17 02:54 pm UTC (link)
	"You have plenty of time to be earning dashing scars and great injuries," Hestia replied with a grin of her own. "I'm glad you're alright, though. Have they been keeping you busy since you've been back, then?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-17 07:26 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, I certainly hope so," Frank replied, as solemnly as he could manage- though a smile quickly betrayed him. He gestured a hand to the various stacks of papers on and around his desk. "I've been keeping myself busy, I think," he admitted. "Just trying to get everything put back to rights- or as near to it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-18 01:03 pm UTC (link)
	"It always seems like we never have enough time to do that," Hestia said, smiling a bit. "I don't, at least. I'm always behind or scattered and I can't seem to catch up. Ever." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-18 02:29 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, no- I don't think we're meant to catch up. Don't tell Scrimgeour that, of course," Frank added, lower. "We're not saving the world through paperwork, yeah?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-19 12:35 am UTC (link)
	"Cross my heart I won't," Hestia said, making an 'x' with her finger over her chest. "Of course we're not. It would be silly of them to think we are." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

earlyspring
2008-04-19 04:03 am UTC (link)

Frank couldn't help but smile at the gesture, and he was half-tempted to duplicate it, himself. "I'm glad you agree, at least," he admitted. "I mean- I- well, I like this job because I really feel like it means something, like I'm helping, you know? And I think Alice thinks that's a load of bollocks and I'm just in it because it makes me feel macho, but that's not it, really."

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	greeknotlatin 2008-04-19 04:11 am UTC (link)
	"I'm glad to hear that," Hestia admitted. That he had a reason for liking this job, for choosing it. If anybody asked her why she picked an Auror over anything else, well... She wasn't sure that she could give any straight answer. It was just something that she thought she would do. "Why do you think Alice thinks it's a load of bollocks?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-19 04:13 am UTC (link)
	"Oh, I don't know that she really does or not," Frank could feel himself blushing a bit. "I mean, she just likes to tease me, and all." (Reply to this) (Parent)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-19 04:21 am UTC (link)
	"She does like to tease and joke around, doesn't she," Hestia remarked with a faint smile. "Nothing against her, of course. I like her." (Reply to this) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-19 04:27 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah, I do, too." Frank's voice was quieter than he meant it to be, almost as if he were just speaking to himself. He blushed again when he realized this, and stammered, "Well- erm-" He probably shouldn't be talking about this. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-19 04:33 am UTC (link)
	"Yes," Hestia said, smiling faintly at the blush. "I know you do, love." She didn't push the issue any- not wanting to make him uncomfortable or anything, so she just leaned back in her seat. "So how are things with you, love? Just...In general- not necessarily work-related?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-19 04:41 am UTC (link)
	Wait, she knew? Oh, Merlin. Did everyone know? "Outside of work?" Frank repeated. "I'm- well- things are really good. It's nice to even have an 'outside of work' now- I wasn't sure I ever would, when I was in training." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-19 04:50 am UTC (link)
	"That's good to hear, love. It doesn't do anybody any good if you bog yourself down in your work." Ha. Like she had any room to talk-- she couldn't even remember the last time she'd gone out just to have fun and let loose. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-19 04:58 am UTC (link)
	Frank raised his eyebrows at that- sure, Hestia was telling the truth, but... "And you take your own advice, too, yeah?" he asked. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-19 09:47 pm UTC (link)
	"Yeah, most of the time." Which wasn't a complete lie. Was it? She waved her hand dismissively. "That doesn't matter, love." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-20 04:40 am UTC (link)
	Frank shook his head- he didn't want to argue with Hestia, though admittedly a large part of the reasoning of that was he knew Hestia would win. "If you insist." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-20 06:02 pm UTC (link)
	"Aye," she said with a slight nod. She straightened, then, and tilted her head as she looked back to him. "Am I keeping you from anything, love? Or might I be able to drag you off for some lunch? Of course, if you have other plans, we can always do lunch some other time..." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-20 08:48 pm UTC (link)
	Frank surveyed his desk again, as if weighing his options. He knew he probably shouldn't leave, but then he also didn't get to see Hestia as often, anymore, and 'some other time' could very well end up being a long time from now. "Lunch would be great," he said, finally, looking back to Hestia as he stood. "Where to?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-21 01:57 pm UTC (link)
	Hestia stood as well, smoothing down her robes and turning stepping from the chair. "How about that cafe just down the street? Or the pub two blocks over? Whatever you'd like." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-21 02:31 pm UTC (link)
	"The pub, I think," Frank replied. He shrugged on his coat, then gestured for Hestia to go ahead of him- he couldn't help the slight chivalrous gesture, even now. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-21 03:23 pm UTC (link)
	"Pub sounds fantastic," Hestia said as she stepped out before him, touching her wand to summon her coat. She pulled it on and started toward the lifts. "I'll treat, love." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-21 03:40 pm UTC (link)
	"I-" Frank cut himself off. While it was one thing to try and pay for Alice, when they went out- and he still did- he had a feeling that Hestia might not take his gesture quite so genially. "Ye-alright." (Reply to this) (Parent)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-21 05:17 pm UTC (link)
	Hestia merely smiled as she entered the lifts, and it wasn't long before they'd left the building and were on their way to the pub. She pulled the door open once they arrived and stepped in just before him, then took a quick look around- it was busy, but not so crowded that she wanted to go elsewhere. "Bar, booth, or table?" she asked, turning back to Frank with a grin. (Reply to this) (Thread)

earlyspring
2008-04-21 06:57 pm UTC (link)

"Table," Frank replied, after a moment's consideration. He wasn't one for sitting at the bar, which he probably shouldn't have admitted to, and a booth was- well, close quarters, even if he wasn't particularly claustrophobic. He waited for Hestia to sit, then took his own seat across from her, reaching for a menu. This was a fairly regular stop for Ministry employees, so he probably could have ordered from memory, but he wanted the refresher.

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	greeknotlatin 2008-04-22 03:03 pm UTC (link)
	"Sounds good," she said, moving to a table near the window and taking her coat off before hanging it on the back of her chair and sitting down. She reached for her own menu, nibbling on her lower lip as she debated what to eat. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-22 04:20 pm UTC (link)
	The waitress came by to take their drink orders, and once she'd gone, Frank looked back across the table to Hestia. "I remember being in training, and you lecturing us all about what we ate- I keep skipping over all this greasy food on the menu, since you're here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-22 07:09 pm UTC (link)
	"Still?" Hestia asked with a laugh. "I promise, love, I won't get on you for anything you pick. Have whatever you'd like." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-22 07:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, I know that!" Or, at least, he knew that now. "Just- you left an impression, I suppose." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-22 07:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, I'm glad I'm doing something right." She couldn't help but laugh, reaching for her drink as the waiter returned and set them down. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-22 08:16 pm UTC (link)
	Frank ordered his lunch- chips and half a sandwich- and took a slow sip of his drink. "Well, of course you are! I mean- that's why we have this job, yeah? To do the right thing." Which probably wasn't quite what Hestia had meant. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-22 10:16 pm UTC (link)
	"Why we're doing this? Yes, of course." It was why she'd joined up, wasn't it? She couldn't say for sure. What was really right? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-22 11:55 pm UTC (link)
	"Sorry," Frank shook his head, then took another sip of his drink. "I shouldn't be talking about work outside of work." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-23 02:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Why on earth are you apologizing?" Hestia asked, lifting her ale up for a sip. "There's no need to at all, love." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-23 02:57 pm UTC (link)
	Frank felt his cheeks flush a bit, but he nodded all the same. Really, now- he'd passed his training, and there was no reason for Hestia to still make him as nervous as she apparently did. "Yeah, alright." He attempted a smile, hoping it didn't betray his nervousness. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-23 09:51 pm UTC (link)
	Hestia could sense a touch of his nervousness, and she smiled in return before picking up her drink for another sip. She felt a little bad that he was still nervous around her, but she wasn't sure how to ease any discomfort. "So... How's your family doing? I think Mum mentioned seeing yours last week sometimes." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-24 01:40 am UTC (link)
	Frank's smile became more genuine at the mention of his family. No matter how strict his mum had been, he still loved her- and the rest of his relatives- very dearly. "They're really good. Dad's more than half-retired now, but I think mum still spends more time working than even I do. Last I saw her, though, I was half-unconscious..." He shook his head. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-24 01:59 am UTC (link)
	"Half-retired?" she asked, smiling. "Dad tried the retirement thing. It drove him and Mum nuts. So he's gone back to work- he says he feels much more useful when he's doing something." She grinned and glanced up as the waitress returned with their food. "What does your mum do again? I know I knew this, but I've forgotten..." (Reply to this) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-24 02:21 am UTC (link)
	"Half as in- well, he works when he wants to, I suppose." Frank wasn't quite sure what the deal was. "And mum's the a Healer at St. Mungo's. I'm sure she's got a more proper title, for being in charge of a ward and all, but don't tell her I don't know it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-24 02:27 am UTC (link)
	"Aye. That's good for him," she said, smiling. She reached for a chip and popped it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Ah, yes, I remember that now! And don't you worry, love. Your secret's safe with me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-24 02:45 am UTC (link)
	Frank exhaled, and gestured, whew- then smiling again as he took a drink. "I knew I could count on you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greeknotlatin 2008-04-24 04:29 pm UTC (link)
	"Of course you can!" she exclaimed, pretending to be shocked by his relief. "I wouldn't betray you like that! And besides, your mum might shoot the messenger!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	earlyspring 2008-04-26 12:34 am UTC (link)
	"My mum?" Frank raised his eyebrows, gesturing to himself as if he were surprised at the accusation. But he smiled quickly, and nodded once. "Yes, you're right- she definitely would." (Reply to this) (Parent)