Scorpius H. Malfoy (fullofsnark) wrote in unloading_zone, @ 2010-08-15 14:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | astoria malfoy, scorpius malfoy |
Who: Astoria and Scorpius
Where: Around & About
When: Sunday morning
What: Scorpius decides to help a newcomer. Not realising it's Mum.
Status/Rating: Complete, low
It was easy to spot the newcomers. The quarrelsome baggage orbiting around them was dead obvious. He didn't envy the young woman who was getting jostled and shoved along the sandy dirt path that led to the bungalows. Scorpius remembered his bruising experience all too well, and the memory stirred up some pity and altruism in him.
"Hate to say it, but it's best if you give in to them and follow along. Resistance is futile," he told her, pushing past a bellicose hat box to reach her side.
"Follow along?" Astoria parroted, rubbing at her bruised shoulder. "Maybe if I knew where I'm supposed to be going," she pointed out, leaving her shoulder alone in order to bat at a small train case. And why was she being herded along in the first place? If this was someone's idea of a joke — or worse, a vacation — she was going to have to set them straight. Surprises were one thing, but when they involved luggage turning violent, they became considerably less acceptable.
"Is this typical? You sound... familiar with the process."
"They're leading you to your new residence, those shacks up ahead," Scorpius supplied the answer. Shacks was putting it lightly. The island bungalows were a far cry from suitable for habitation. With three people crammed in one, they were nigh unbearable. Maybe this girl would be fortunate and not have any bungalow-mates yet, but somehow he doubted it.
"It's what everyone goes through when they first arrive. I went through it a month ago, and now it's your turn, apparently."
"Shacks?"Astoria shook her head. Repeating everything he said wouldn't help — it only made her look stupid. But really, what did he mean by shacks?
Her baggage seemed to have given her more room to walk, now that she was heading in the right direction, and she took the opportunity to step away from her new acquaintance. "Is that a joke? What kind of vacation is this?"
Of course, she was quickly getting the sinking feeling that this was no vacation at all. But there weren't any other alternatives. At least, none that she could think of.
"Vacation is one of the better ways to look at it," Scorpius said with a small chortle. "You're more optimistic than most, considering we have to live in crowded shacks and work." Why try painting things in pink? There was no use in attempting to make things seem better than they were. He didn't want to be held at fault for making the girl think she was in some tropical paradise resort.
"It's not a joke, or a dream, I'm afraid. You'll see what I mean about the shacks once we find yours. You're probably way back there," he told her, pointing off in the distance.
Crowded shacks? Work? Astoria firmly crossed off this being a vacation. Truthfully, she didn't mind the idea of having a job — but she doubted, if the living arrangements were anything to go by, that she'd be doing anything enjoyable.
"And if you've been here for a month, I suppose there's no way to leave..." She mused, not expecting an answer. "I have things to be doing, you know," Astoria griped, glancing in Scorpius' direction. "If you're involved with this somehow, I can and will make your life miserable."
He didn't seem like the type, but she couldn't be positive. Better to threaten first, trust later. Just so they understood each other.
"I should be flattered. You think I'm capable of all this?" Scorpius scoffed, gesturing to the palm trees in a universal way. "There's no way I'd leave St. Mungo's to stock shelves and live in one bedroom with three men, thanks very much. You'll be fortunate if you a half-way decent job."