andante, andante

Daisy’s eyes paused their quick look around at the turtle–or was it a tortoise?–making its way into the room. An unusual pet perhaps but not one that seemed out of place in a home like this. It seemed just in place among the cozy trappings.

“I am, yes,” she said, turning back to Emmeline with a smile. Daisy had to shift around a bit to get comfortable with her growing stomach, but it wasn’t a hassle. She knew it would be as she kept getting bigger. “I am, yes. I grew up in Maryland, but I did live in Maine for a bit. Not sure if that even quite showed in my voice, though.” At this point she’d been in England longer than she’d lived there, and that was just an odd thought to come to terms with.

“Maryland and Maine, those are along the East Coast aren’t they?” Emm asked, trying to remember the map she’d found in one of her books. She had studied it and everything before Daisy arrived but then the snakes had needed putting away and it was had been a while since she’d studied and handled snakes simultaneously. She ought to have Valerjia over again, get more practice.

“Sorry, I usually try and do more research before I’ve got foreign guests over, so they don’t have to feel quite too alone. What was it like? I’ve heard it’s all very big in America, because of all the space. Do they use a lot of cars? Do you know how to drive one? My mum always tried to get me to learn but I never really had an interest. It didn’t seem practical at the time, but it sounds rather fun now.”

It was a delicate balance.  Emmeline was hot.  She could get away with something scandalous, absolutely.  But confidence was far sexier than any amount of skin ever could be.  If she didn’t feel comfortable in whatever they chose it would just come across as awkward and uncomfortable.  It was about pushing boundaries without taking it completely out of her comfort zone.

Aliya nodded as Emmeline described her girlfriend, flipping through the rack in front of her.  Maura.  That named sounded familiar, but she didn’t particularly want to push it.  If Aliya knew her girlfriend it was for reasons far less vanilla than the vibe her shopping partner was giving off.  A lifetime of prodding, acting and gentle manipulation had taught her that it was far easier to play pretend when you didn’t have any information that would make it hard to do so.  “Does she have a favorite color?  Or you, maybe?  Confidence is sexy – if you feel good in it she’ll love it.”

“It’s always seemed to make things…” she paused, grasping for the word.  “sexier, I suppose.  There’s something to be said for an impromptu rendezvous, but preparation and planning can make it truly special.  She’ll love whatever you choose.  It doesn’t have to be awkward.”  She was silently for a moment, flitting through the racks.  “I think this would look nice on you.”  It was a dark purple set, and it covered everything it needed to easily.  But there was something about the straps that added a bit of a provocative flair.

“Pink. She loves pink.” Emmeline said automatically, remembering her riffling through girlfriend’s closet for things to borrow, or just to toss her clothes for the day. At first she’d thought it a bit silly to own so much of one color, but it suited Maura. A color people judged too quickly and woman they did as well. Though Emm suspected Maura just honestly liked it, no symbolism involved. “Though I do really like that purple...”

All those straps looked a bit confusing to get a hold on, for taking it on and off, but it was a very pretty color. Surely just trying it on shouldn’t be too bad? And Aliya was definitely in love with her wife so Emm wasn’t worried about this being some sort of weird cheating trap.

“Do you have anything, what works for you?” Always best to have more data than less and if she could get a feel as to what people generally liked, that would help wouldn’t it? She’d always preferred practicality over fashion but that can’t be the best choice here right? Practicality didn’t equal sexy.

“That makes it a little selfish, doesn’t it? That makes it sound like people give things away to get something in return and not for the self-fulfillment that comes from being charitable.” Cas countered, wondering if she was just particularly unused to receiving gifts or if she didn’t like feeling as if she owed someone, no matter how little the ‘gift’ in this particular case was worth.

Regardless, she seemed somewhat shrewd and Cas couldn’t help but laugh at the the unspoken question in her words. “I also got rid of it, as you’ll notice. Don’t forget that part.” And he’d managed to strike up a conversation because of it, one that was more interesting than 'come here often?’ usually provided.

Emmeline frowned. This man felt very presumptuous. She couldn’t tell if she actually enjoyed speaking with him or not. Though it was nice to have someone to argue with, even if it was a civil argument mostly about nothing. A good debate did wonders to her mood. 

“That, or some people derive happiness from the act of sharing rather than receiving. Even if it’s something small, I usually try to carry peppermints around to hand out. Mostly for kids at work, but cases like these they work wonders.”

She hummed, giving him a careful look. “You don’t like chocolate but you carry it around, and you don’t mind getting in light arguments with strangers. You’re passable company. Walk to work with me, stranger? I enjoy a good argument.”

“Some people may dream of being able to relive their years at Hogwarts, but I don’t recommend it.” Chances were, they didn’t consider what it would be like to be treated as children again and Valentina didn’t care for it in the least. She was glad to be back at work, to feel like she was doing something useful other than standing around waiting to intimidate students that dared stick gum on the underside of a desk. “Although I’m not sure if attending Church’s trial counts as working. I’m supposed to be a witness tomorrow.”

“You’re going to be a witness for Alex?” Emm asked, curious despite herself. She didn’t really miss Hogwarts but she knew that Kingsley had missed Valentina incredibly. Lettuce stuck his head out from her shirt collar and Emm gave it a little scritch. “Surely you can get the Ministry to pay you for testifying. It’s a civic duty.”

“Never be afraid to tell someone when you’re right and they’re wrong.”

“Learning how to cook will improve your basic quality of life. Please do so.”

She wasn’t sure what it was that had endeared Emmeline Vance to her.  Was it the doe-eyed look on her face when she talked about her girlfriend?  Or maybe her quick wit?  Their shared trauma?  Whatever it was she found herself excited at the prospect of spending more time with her.

“Tell me about your girlfriend,” she insisted, linking her arm with Emmeline’s as the elbowed their way through the crowded store.  “Is she the type that would prefer a cutesy outfit or something for a bit of –” she paused, not particularly wanting to be crass in public.  “bedroom fun?  Honestly, you don’t even need to answer that.  We’ll gather both sort of outfits and you can decide then.”

There had been many shopping trips like this with many friends.  She had enough experience dressing friends like a doll to know that if you start with the safe option the possibility of dragging them off toward something a bit more risky was unlikely.  They had to start with the provocative.  “How much skin are you comfortable showing?”  She held up a piece of conservative, dark blue lingerie.  “This would look lovely on you, but with that body you could get away with showing a bit more skin.”  She gestured with her head toward the more provocative pieces.  “The goal is for it to end up on the floor anyway, isn’t it?”

@advance-emmeline​ 

Emmeline certainly didn’t mind finding more lesbian friends. She had Hess, of course she’d always have Hess, and Zara, the best Order partner she could ask for honestly; but it was still thrilling to meet someone new. Someone married, even! She’d never even thought of marriage before. Maura had finally said ‘I love you’ back and Emmeline had almost cried she’d bee so happy. Marriage was like... her brain just short-circuited. 

“I’m not sure. Maura’s definitely adventurous, and she’s still learning some things. She’s really amazing, and I like being able to surprise her when I can.” It always felt nice to give her girlfriend a bit of surprise. Thank Merlin Aliya had come with her for this, she’d never have the courage to go alone.

Emm flushed and chewed on her lip, looking at some of the more provocative outfits. She wanted to try them they looked fun. But she needed to work herself up first or she’d lose her nerve. “I think I probably ought to start off a bit conservative, or you’ll lose your shopping partner from embarrassment.” She admitted. “I don’t do this sort of shopping for myself often.”

@advance-emmeline​

Daisy settled back into her chair and accepted the cup of tea happily. She almost hadn’t stopped by, but Poppy had encouraged her to reach out as a friend. So far Daisy had to agree. Emmeline seemed to be a wonderful person to have around. The fact that she had a tea ready to brew that could help with Daisy’s back pain was just an added bonus. “You have a lovely place,” she said with a smile. “Have you lived here long?” From her accent, Daisy assumed Emmeline had lived here all her life, and it was nice to see someone who looked so comfortable in their life.

Emmeline beamed as Leggy slowly made his way into the living room to check out this new house guest. He’d been so happy to have Maura visiting for the week, almost as happy as she was. Sometimes Emm forgot how much her pets loved company. 

“Thanks!” She said, gesturing for Daisy to take a seat on the couch. All the snakes were home in their tanks for the visit. Scaring very nice pregnant ladies didn’t really make Emm’s list of things to do.  “In this house, only four years. I grew up in Sussex. You’re from America, aren’t you? What region?”

Well, she was either trusting or very guilty of the sin of gluttony, Cas wasn’t sure which, but he still found himself chuckling at his enthusiasm, glad that he’d found someone to give away the chocolate to. “That’s a mercenary view to have.” He told her, wondering if she thought he was someone trying to barter just from a piece of chocolate.

“I didn’t give it to you to get something in return, you know, I’m just doing my good deed of the day.” Ha, as if Cas was particularly interested in performing a good deed during the day. Or even once a week. Still, it was a line that sounded good, if nothing else, and Cas shrugged casually at her. “Plus I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.”

“Generally when someone shares something, it’s nice to have something to give them in return.” Emm said with a shrug. That’s how her parents had raised her at least. Never let a good deed go unnoticed, even in the smallest of ways. In times like these she didn’t often feel like taking the higher moral ground but it did feel nice to occasionally make someone smile. 

She raised an eyebrow. “Not much of a sweet tooth yet you’re carrying around chocolate?” Dementors weren’t exactly on the rise thank goodness. It was one of the few minor miracles in these times. Unless this man was somehow secretly a dementor but she didn’t actually think that was possible. Clearly Moody’s paranoia was rubbing off.

Delilah offered her a smile. “I might have to take you up on that offer some day,” she mused. Things had never been great at home, her parents marriage was a sham and they were both miserable. Delilah’s mother had been making comments about Delilah remarrying, but Delilah knew that she wasn’t ready, that she didn’t think she would be ready for a long time. And well…if she did get married again, she wanted it to be for love this time. “I might have to reach out, then,” she mused. She wanted to be rid of the house more than anything. But it seemed like it just wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. 

She hated thinking about Amycus, but he wasn’t far from her mind usually. She was so relieved to be rid of him, but at the same time…it just didn’t feel real. Hadn’t felt real yet. And she knew that some of that was that she was still living in their home. She offered her a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. Things were so messed up, all of the death and sadness and pain and fear. Delilah was tired of it. 

She nodded her head. “You need to come over,” she said. It was one perk of Amycus being dead, she could have whoever the hell she wanted over for tea. She nodded her head. “I can only imagine. Letters aren’t the same. But i’m glad that you can talk to her though,” Delilah said. She wished she  could talk to Edgar again, just one more time. “Maybe you can go and visit her?” She suggested. “Make it a surprise.”

“Good. If I get to pick my own sisters, then you’re definitely top of the list.” Emmeline said, glad that Delilah had honestly taken the offer to heart. She rarely offered things she didn’t think she could follow through on, and everyone deserved a home and a family. Besides Delilah was definitely the sort of personality her parents would love. All that attention to detail and competence, she’d fit right in.

“They’ll probably just buy it and turn it into some giant library or dog sanctuary. Zoe would have a field day.” The Newfies would love her. She’d totally boss them around, Emm could just picture it now.

She perked up at Delilah’s offer. “Really? I’ve not been anywhere but the Weasley’s or Kingsley’s for ages, that sounds like so much fun! We could do a girls night, or something. Like we’re schoolkids again. Make an adventure out of it.”

A surprise weekend in Germany sounded really nice. She’d have to start looking into Floo schedules and asking discreetly about Maura’s schedule. Emm could plan a surprise, she totally could. Especially if Delilah helped.

“It’s not poison, it’s just a piece of chocolate. Can’t a guy ever make a nice gesture without someone questioning their motives?” Considering it was Cas, they really shouldn’t accept any action that came across as anything but self-serving without a great deal of skepticism. Even this, waving around a piece of candy in his hands, wasn’t entirely about being nice. “I had two pieces and the nice thing to do is share, right? So go on, take the last one.” 

A lie again, because of course it was. There had only ever been one piece to begin with, but Cas didn’t eat chocolate, so that wasn’t a problem. He was happy to get rid of it and yes, he could have thrown it away, but why do that if he could give it a purpose? He’d read once somewhere that if you wanted someone to like you, then you should ask to borrow a pencil. It was a simple favor that anyone could grant and it made them like you because you’d needed them or were indebted to them, something like that. It wasn’t quite the same principle, but Cas figured that giving gifts was still a good way to endear someone to you.

Emmeline raised an eyebrow. This man seemed... she actually wasn’t really sure what to think about him. He sounded sincere enough and he didn’t give off any overtly creepy vibes, he just...seemed rather confident in himself in a way Emm would’ve found attractive if he had boobs. Thank god she was gay, honestly. 

Besides even if it was poisoned, she’d taken to carrying her med kit everywhere and it had a common antidote in it. She’d be okay.  So she reached out and took the chocolate, popping it in her mouth.

“That’s kind of you.” She said after she’d finished eating. “Sorry I’ve got nothing to give you in return.”

“I am sorry.” Zara raised her hands and smiled at the other. “Please, forgot that I said this horrible thing.” She shrugged at the other’s affirmation. It’s not like she didn’t anyone, but at the end of the story, she was a predator. And being able to drain someone’s blood could be an issue, even that sometimes people would love to have her near to feel the adrenaline as she was feeding herself. “I have to say that we can get a pause on one-night person idea. I think I am not a safe person until I am confident enough not to drink someone’s blood during sex.” She smiled as Emm was saying about darts and nodded. “We need to have fun, Emm. So please, show me how you have fun around here without me thinking about blood. I need that. And you didn’t say what do you want to drink, Emm.”

Emm smiled back, easing off immediately. Zara wouldn’t have said anything spitefull, Emm just couldn’t help immediately rising to Maura’s defense. She’d done the same-- still did-- for Hestia, she couldn’t quite help herself.

“Aww, okay. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to try and set you up, though. One of us has to have a relationship with someone actually nearby. I’ll find you a nice lesbian girl yet.” Emm grabbed the darts from the board and offered a set to Zara. They could totally do this. They both deserved a good night off.

Things that second guessed her every move – that certainly sounded like her mother.  But that made it more clear why she had never learned to play.  Teaching their children a Muggle game likely seemed inappropriate, and honestly, she’d wager a guess that her mother had never learned to play wizard’s chess herself; she had never been good at listening to direction.  “Perfect.”  She smiled sadly.

It made sense to her now – the woman seemed far too young to have a son who had died, although she supposed death didn’t discriminate.  “It sounds like it was lucky you found each other,” was all that she said.  Anything else wasn’t her business.  

“My brother was so much older than me that I don’t know that I ever got a real picture of who he was, if that makes sense?  In the same way that our parents are just our parents and our grandparents are just our grandparents – their outside life and personality are irrelevant.  All that matters is how they treat you and how they make you feel.  Jinan was that way for me.  He was my brother and he was kind, and he took care of me when no one else bothered.  My parents weren’t bad or neglectful, they were just far more interested in their careers than they were in raising children – and I just.  He deserved so much better.”

“I think we were, yeah. At least I hope so. Normally I’m not really big on things I can’t prove or reason out, but I really am lucky to have met him.” If she hadn’t been at the Weasley’s that day they likely wouldn’t have interacted at all. Thinking of a world where she didn’t know and love Regulus, didn’t mourn him, seemed improbable. He felt like such a fixed point in her life.

Emm began to set up the board slowly and methodically, using the action to help calm her mind and level her reasoning. Chess made her slow down and think about things. They could both use that, she thought. 

“I do, yeah. I never understood my older brother as his own person before he moved to Romania. Jinan helped raise you, then? I’m sorry that you lost him. That’s never easy. What sort of things did the pair of you like to do? Regulus had started teaching me fashion. I wasn’t very good at it but it was fun all the same. We went to Fashion Week once.”