set yourself free

“I’m technically at work right now and bringing this back from the muggle world, because as you can see, it definitely shouldn’t be among muggles.” Penelope commented, gesturing the object? Creature? She honestly didn’t know what it was and she was just pretending that she knew what it was in order to look professional. “However the person I was sent out with, decided they wanted to take a break and left me with this thing.”

“Can I help you?” Maddie asked in a voice that was entirely too chirper to be real. She was still getting the hang of this whole customer service thing. “No pressure, though! If you want to browse that’s cool too, but I’m totally here to help.”

“You know, all of his could’ve been avoided if you hadn’t played with something you don’t understand.” Penelope told the other, helping shield the mess that was currently on the floor and getting ready to divert anyone who tried to see what they were up too. “What possessed you to pick it up in the first place?”

@lucindaskelly

“Alright, alright–,” Ingrid raised her hands up in defense at Lucinda’s response. “We can absolutely take turns with the purchases. Just let me know when you’re ready to go.”

Griffin happily reciprocated the hug, already feeling a weight off his chest as he saw the other smile. It was getting a lot easier the more he did it. “You’re one of my closest friends, so of course I trust you,” he said with a smile. “I feel… pretty great, actually. Thank you for being so supportive, I guess.” 

“How would you like to go for a nice shopping day and dinner, Luce? On me, of course,” Ingrid suggested to her friend with a smile. “Things have been incredibly dire lately and I feel like we should try and cheer ourselves up however we can. Besides, we can shop and dine locally to support everyone at the same time,” she pointed out. “Sound good?”

@lucindaskelly

“Absolutely not. You could be one hundred and six and still implement it though you might need some thick reading glasses,” Trixie said, laughing. She couldn’t help but grin, “They absolutely do when I have anything to say about it.”

“Only if you’re sure,” Aryana said in response to Lucinda offering to stick around with her. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to,” she added. Not in a tone that asked for any sort of pity, but rather in one that understood these were weird times and everyone wanted to retreat back into their own shell to recover. “I’ve still got some stuff on hold for you at the shop by the way,” Arya brought up, trying to change the topic so they could think about something else even for a moment. “Let me know when you wanna stop by and finally make the purchase– because you and I both know you’re totally just delaying the inevitable,” she added with a light laugh.

“Okay but you have got to try this wine,” Candice said, “I don’t know where it comes from or how old it is because I’m not any kind of connoisseur but it is simply gorgeous. I think I’m gonna have to find out where I can buy it and get a whole case and you will think the same. Care for a glass?”

“Yeah I… I absolutely dread thinking about what they are most likely planning next but we just need to focus on putting up a stronger wall. Being able to protect ourselves better for the next time could help. Like I know we’ve got aurors and everyone doing the most but… I think we need to be doing even more. You know?” Aryana sighed a little, more frustrated than anything. “Thanks. You’re welcome to use it, free of charge,” she teased trying to keep a light attitude despite how terrifying their situation was. “Yeah she’s okay. She’s going to take me back to my apartment actually before she comes back here to treat people,” she admitted. “Do you need a place to crash? You can stay at mine no problem.”

“I live by the motto that there’s always time to read,” Trixie replied with a smile, “Just remind them that they have a contract. Flourish and Blotts is quite good at putting consequences in their contracts. Usually involves a pay cut.”

“Yeah everyone seems to be okay– thank Godric,” Merinda sighed with relief. “Oh? You know what as much as going home sounds nice, I feel like there’d be some comfort in seeing a few faces and being able to know they’re okay for real… you know?” she admitted when Lucinda told her about those meeting up at The Three Broomsticks. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to though.”

“We might have to take five… one of our beaters looks like they’re about to puke up their own stomach,” Laurel commented to her teammate and captain as they jogged alongside one another. “She should know better than to eat a heavy lunch before team workouts though… don’t you think?”

@lucindaskelly

Send a 📸 to see 3-5 pictures that my muse has/has taken of your muse(s)

“That goes right back at you,” she insisted to her sister. While she knew Lucinda would always look out for her, Mer knew she needed to look out for Lucinda because she’d never give that same attention to herself. “While I’d love nothing more than to get out of here, is there anyone we need to help? Like any of your friends stuck in a building or something? I don’t want to leave someone behind if we can help or send aurors their way.”

“Er– I’m pretty sure,” Griffin laughed as the other made a face. “I hope it will,” he gave a half-hearted grin. “Well, since we’re at Pride, and you’re my friend and you support me… I thought I’d tell you I’m bisexual,” he told the other, feeling that rush once again that he felt when he told others.

Ingrid: Cross my heart. I'm no Gryffindor but I'll channel that energy today.

Ingrid: He is. And his fiancée and daughter. I feel worlds better just knowing that.

Ingrid: Perfect. I'll see you soon then.

Ingrid: Oh, you bet.

Lucinda: Surely they have enough of it to share with us

Lucinda: Oh, thank Merlin. I'm so glad they're okay, especially with the bub that must have been so stressful