*DORCAS / MEADOWES .

who: @suchadorcas​

where: Ministry holding cells

“Next time ye see me I might be in stripes, wouldn’t that be something?” Marlene uttered, sarcasm laced in her voice as she sat leaning back against the wall, eyes flickering over to look at one of her best friends on the other side of the barrier. “Please tell me you come bringing some kind of good news? Or atleast some gossip that isn’t to do with the end of the night to keep me distracted?”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @starryeyxdmckinnon​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

“That’s not happenin’ ‘Lene.” Doe spoke a little too sharply. She knew her friend was innocent, and hated how she had to go through procedure to even see her friend, until the truth came out. “Plus patterns aren’t really your thing, generally.” She tried to join in the joke though, the sympathy angle wasn’t something Marlene really needed from her friend right now. “Well I’m working on the good good news thing, an’ I’ve been busy with that but I went for a little drink at The Hopping Pot whilst someone was working there.”

The other woman’s mutter made Amiria pause where she was a moment. “Oh,” There was a flicker of a frown. “I mean, I just thought -” She set down the glasses that had been in her hands and then braced against the counter. Her eyes met Doe’s. “You just came in here and sat down, and it felt very friends vibes,” She explained delicately. When she started making the drinks again though, she did start pouring for two. “The way you just casually metaphorically threw the cookies in my direction felt like you would a friend.” Amiria may have been in a conversation but that didn’t stop her from throwing in a bit of flair bartending. It wasn’t even a conscious thing. She just had more fun making drinks that way. Soon the drinks were done though and she rested the two glasses on the bar. “Two Black Lagoons.”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @hausofmacnair· ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

“Guess you got the I’m obviously bad at this vibe just radiating off me.”   She smiled ,   as she gestured herself trying to break the ice she’d accidently formed.   It wasn’t like she could use it being a long day as an excuse as everyday was starting to feel that way and wasn’t really sure how to handle it.   Being out of the game was one thing as she had become obsessed with work. It was a whole other challenge when she didn’t have much of a game to begin with.   Doe watched in awe as Amiria poured the drinks ,   the added flair turning it into a spectacle.   “Why thank you. I’d say they look great but they have nothing on you.”

—

Emmeline just offered her friend a small smile. “You’re not in a hospital bed. That’s good enough for me.” She really didn’t know how she’d have managed if more of her friends had gotten hurt. “At least you made it home it do some baking….” Unlike her. She hadn’t been home at all. But that was okay. She was needed here. She needed to work on the case. She needed to work out why her friend had had to die. “You’re a good friend…..” She murmured, taking a cookie, and taking a bite. She needed this. She’d been surviving on coffee all night, and she knew she was going to burn out sooner than later at this rate.

Emmeline sighed, biting her lip as she thought about it. “Doe….” She murmured, a pained expression on her face. “I….. I didn’t think she could do it either….” She hadn’t thought any of them could do something like this. “But I saw her. I saw Claudette target Amelia.” And she hadn’t been able to do anything about it. “But….. I’m confused too…..” She murmured, hopefully Doe didn’t think she was just being mean for the hell of it. “Because the Claudette I know wouldn’t try to kill anyone either”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @emmelinevancx· ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

“I suppose you do have to take the wins where you can get them.”   Doe noted ,   she was in a better position to help her friends from where she was.   “It was baking or sleep ,   and one of those definitely wasn’t happening.   Should have seen the state of the kitchen by the time I was done.”   She forced a light laugh ,   to try and ease herself.   “I could be more of a good friend ,   my best friend’s been arrested and...and she wouldn’t do that.   I know she wouldn’t.   I just gotta figure out how it happened.   I know Marlene ( @starryeyxdmckinnon· ).   She’s a flirt ,   she makes bad decisions ,   but she wouldn’t whip her wand out on someone who didn’t deserve it.   Sometimes she wouldn’t even do it for someone that kinda does.   An’ if you think Claudette didn’t do it either...something’s going on it has to be !! ”   That or she was sleep deprived and going crazy which was more of a viable option than it should have been.

Alice’s smile grew at the mention of cookies. Partly because they sounded really good right now and partly because if the roles had been reserved and Alice had been coming to check on people, she also most definitely would’ve brought baking with her. Alice didn’t want to interrupt Doe’s rant, and waiting for her to take a breath. “They sound lovely” she smiled at her “though I hope you a least saved yourself some or licked the bowl out.” The more Doe spoke the more of herself she saw in her. Whilst Alice might not have been outwardly so nervous, she had certain felt like that inside. “It’s going to be fine” Alice reassured her “the only reason it was so bad this time is that they caught us off guard- we’ll be more prepared from now on and we will beat them- they’re cowards and cowards always lose.” Alice didn’t know if she believed what she was saying but she hoped that Doe did. “I’m fine” it had become the go-to response by now “a little groggy still but feel better after getting some sleep”

@suchadorcas

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @alicexyen· ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

Stress baking ,   a new found facet to Doe’s arsenal had come in handy it seemed.   “I’ll be eating them for the next few days for every meal I think.”   Although that kind of sugar rush really wouldn’t help her brain which was already seemingly running far too fast to process every thought she had.   There was too much going on and the baking ,   for a short while ,   shut it up.   But it wasn’t a permanent fix.   “I hope so and I’m glad you got some sleep.”   She was trying to stay neutral and have faith in the system she supported but they were fighting something bigger than the Aurors knew about directly.   “They got my friend, Alice.   They got Marlene.   You know she’d have never … I just don’t know how to prove it wasn’t her.”

A small smile rested on Amiria’s face as Dorcas spoke to her. “Something to get the taste of coffee and cookies out of your mouth, alright,” She whispered to herself, nodding a little in thought. There was already a whole bunch of ideas running through her mind. She needed to make something that would impress. The way the cookies were offered up felt a bit deflating though. It could have easily been an oppurtunity for the woman to be a bit more flirty or make a bit of a romantic gesture out of it. Even if Doe had them them for work colleagues, she could have dressed them up as a gift for Amiria. But she didn’t. So she felt slightly less pressure to impress now as evidently she’d read the vibes between them very differently. “Oh,” Amiria stood up slowly away from the bar as she prepared to make a drink. “Thanks, kid.” She offered a smile before letting out a long sigh. Her head hung and she started to busy herself with making Doe a drink.

Having been surrounded by cookies for most of the day ,   Doe hadn't been in the mood to turn them into a move and clearly that had been a mistake.   Her face dropped a little as she looked down for a moment.   “So kid's where we're at ,   huh...”   She mumbled under her breath, before speaking up again.   “I mean ,   maybe I should have tried to maybe throw a babe in...”   Biting her lip ,   Doe barely knew the line between being confidently forward and pushy even if she was nowhere near it.   “If you've got time I could make it two drinks...without cookies this time because they're dumb and I'm no good at making conversation out of them.   Sorry ,   about that.”

location: the hopping pot 

Amiria’s favourite way to keep herself occupied work and so that was what she was doing. She was in her element. The woman hustled and bustled up and down the bar, flipping and twirling glasses and containers and she made a variety of drinks. Her head was down, polishing out a glass as she approached her next customer. “Well hi there,” Amiria lifted her head up with a grin. “What can I get y–” She froze at the sign of Dorcas. “Hi.”  | @suchadorcas·

˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @hausofmacnair· ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

“ Heya. ”   She smiled ,   despite having been kicked out of work because she apparently had to take a break.   Not allowed back into the office until morning ,   Doe had let her heart decide on what to do ,   since there was no way anyone else in her life needed anymore cookies. “ But to answer the question I think you were going to ask ,   surprise me.   I just need something to get the taste of coffee and cookies out of my mouth ,   because I have drunk enough coffee to keep the entire Auror’s office awake for a week and baked enough cookies to keep them on a cookie-only diet for the foreseeable future.   Like feel free to take some ,   if you want. ”   She took a packet of her bag of about half a dozen homemade cookies wrapped neatly in brown paper with a little bow. 

Emmeline was exhausted. It was like she had forgotten what sleep was. But she had way too many other important things to do. But she needed coffee. On her way to the coffee machine, she’d spotted another familiar face. She sighed, having with Dorcas hadn’t started to take on some of the other aurors worst traits. Emmeline practically lived at the office. At least, she supposed, she had some company today, even if she really would’ve preferred Dorcas be at home. At least Dorcas must not have been hurt, or not too badly if she was here.

“I got you some coffee….” The older woman murmured, a little smile on her face as she placed the cup on her younger friend’s desk. “You okay?”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @emmelinevancx​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

Coffee ,   sometimes it was the little things that needed to be appreciated.   It wasn’t her first cup ,   Doe had lost count of what number cup it was but accepted it with open arms.   “ Thanks, Emmeline.   But I guess okay is debatable.   Like I’m fine but there’s enough cookies on my desk to feed all of us because I made way too many and apparently comfort baking is sort of a thing so there’s a lot on my desk and seriously take as many as you need.   I went to see Alice and left her a bunch of cookies for her and like the whole ward and then I still couldn’t sleep so came here and thought I’d get a head start only to find out along with the rest of the world something I know most definitely could not be true because there is no way my best friend would try and kill someone. ”   The words   ‘ best friend ’   didn’t actually hurt as much as Doe thought they would and as she ran her hand through her hair trying to calm herself down  before offering Emmeline a small smile.   “ Sorry ,   I know your job isn’t any easier right now. ”

When Alice awoke again it was morning. For a few seconds she was calm before the memories came rushing back to her. She was coping a little better after seeing Frank, though she was still worried about him. She still couldn’t process how close she’d come to losing him as well as Amelia. She couldn’t even think about all the feelings that she had about that right now. She was hoping to get discharged today. She needed to go back to the Ministry. She needed to do something to help. She also needed to see Alastor. She hadn’t been able to see him last night and though she’d been told he was going to survive she needed to see how he was holding up. Alice was distracted by a knock on the door, a genuine smile appearing on her face. “Doe- hi” she was glad to see that the girl seemed unharmed “how are you?”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @alicexyen· ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

Doe hadn’t really processed how she was feeling ,   always an action person more than anything. “ Umm I made enough cookies for like the entire ward ,   couldn’t sleep ,   and my aunt was in my head ,   it was her recipe and after everything I needed a little comfort.   I’m not usually a baker but I thought they’d be nice ,   for you.   I’ve got enough to take to the office too ,   and probably the whole ward.   I helped get people out ,   then ‘Lene disappeared and then  ...   well now ...   now I’m here before I go to the office ,   ‘cause I am not sure how long it’ll be before I leave ‘cause I ... well ,   we’re gonna get whoever did this to you ,   and then ...   then we’re gonna work on the bigger problem ,   or problems ,   because it feel like there’s about twenty all entangled together. ”   It was a long winded answer that didn’t really answer any questions but Doe hadn’t had a chance until now to process what exactly she was feeling.   But then she wasn’t the one lying in the hospital bed.   “ How are you doing ??   That should be the more important question right now. ” 

frank hoped the apocalypse wouldn’t show itself like it had every other major event for the past year but he knew better. everyone part of the order knew better. they could hope that the ball would remain peaceful all they wanted but in his opinion, it was unlikely. he didn’t know what to possibly expect, either. frank nodded at dorcas, easily understanding what she meant – he’d felt that way moreso about the job when he was younger, but now preferred to put others ahead of himself. “i can’t complain” he answered. “i’m here with alice – which reminds me, she’s mentioned recently how pleased she’s been with your performance in the field.” frank added in an amusing tone, “she been treating you alright?’” @suchadorcas​

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @frank-orion​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

It had got her thinking ,   things seemed to keep happening.   Lying just below auror suspicions but catching wind in the Order.   “I’m glad someone’s life is planning out well.”   She teased with a laugh before lightly blushing from embarrassment. “I’m sure she’s just trying to toot my horn. I’m just as good as the rest of them I’m sure. Alice’s ( @alicexyen​ ) sweet, you know that. Although I haven’t seen her around tonight. She’s probably busy looking into things that don’t require her to be in the middle of the dance floor though. Always has her head in the game, ready to jump into things if they do go south. Being on a floor owned by the Black’s likely gave her a few ideas of things to look into whilst she had to the chance.”

“Who needs a sign when you have a perfectly good wing woman right here?” The witch teased a smile as bright as the stars pulling onto her lips as she wiggled her eye brows lightly at the other. “Didn’t you go on a date on valentines?” The witch questioned with a pointed figure as she looked at her friend trying to remember back to February. “Did that ever amount to anything? I think I heard Mary saying you two really hit it off?” Marlene asked with a curious glint. “What was her name again? Maybe you could try cozying up to her a little tonight hmm?”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @starryeyxdmckinnon​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

She’d have been perfect as something else but a good wing woman would have to do. “Yeah I’m not sure it’s going anywhere, like she’s cool and hot but I just...I don’t know. I think Mary was definitely overexaggerating how well it had gone.” Doe had taken the effort to steal a few extra glances Amiria’s way, but she was still psyching herself up to go over and talk to her. “Amiria.” Doe answered almost a little too quickly. “She’s the definition of punching above your weight though so I will need a barrel full of whiskey before I consider saying hello again.”

—-

Emmeline was a terrible flirt. She adored flirting, and it was even worse when she’d had something to drink. She also had a terrible habit of flirting with her colleagues, which she knew Moody would kill her for. “Are you suggesting I don’t look hot every other time you see me?” She teased, a smirk on her lips. Emmeline knew that flirting with Dorcas was a terrible idea, but she was going to do it anyway. “Maybe I’m hiding m pretty face to stop myself from being distracted from your pretty face”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @emmelinevancx· ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

Doe wasn’t always a typical flirt but after a few drinks anything was possible.   “I’m just saying the light in the Auror’s office does not do you justice.”   She returned the smirk ,   as a small part of her mind reminded her it was her mentor’s friend ,   but there were no plans to hurt anybody.   It was something to regret in the morning ,   and it wasn’t that time just yet. “Well I wouldn’t want to be the reason you fell behind on paperwork but being graced by your presence is enough because you are looking incredible.”

Amiria was propped against a table a little away from the bar. The bartenders had got tired of her taking up space but she still wanted to watch them work, hence her new position. The bar was where she was looking until she saw someone approaching in the corner of her eye. Amiria turned to see Doe strutting over towards her. A gentle smile rested on her face. She looked beautiful. Almost immediately she laughed. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not,” Amiria said with screwed up features a moment before they returned into a smiling state. “Thank you. It’s really nice to see you too. And you look...” Amiria inhaled slowly before pressing a hand over her mouth. She exhaled and then swallowed before finally continuing “Well breath-taking.” Amiria’s eyes rested on hers for a moment, flirtatious grin before she casually turned and gestured over her shoulder. “Want to get a drink?”

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @hausofmacnair​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

“It’s a good thing in my book ,   I mean I say it is. ”   She blushed ,   almost stumbling over her words ,   realising the whole thing probably sounded a little ridiculous.   Doe bit her lip to stop herself from any more nervous babble ,   not quite sure where it was coming from.   “You’re very welcome. I’m just bein’ honest.”   Her blush deepened as her gaze rested with Amiria ,   which she held for a moment. “Thanks.”   A light laugh left her lips as she nodded.   “I’d really like that.” 

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @hausofmacnair​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

A small smile graced her lips as she spotted Amiria in the crowds of people , a little hesitant and unsure as to whether to make the move.   A shot of seemed to answer the question for her as her hands brushed down her dress and she confidently took a few steps towards her, trying to make her gaze without tripping on her dress.   “ A crowded room and I can still pick you out,” not the smoothest line on the planet but she tried to reconcile it. “It’s lovely to see you here Amiria and you look....stunning!”   The pause had been to find the right word as dashing ,   dreamly ,   and gorgeous all worked but didn’t seem to fit. 

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @emmelinevancx ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

An empty glass in hand ,   and a little pep talk from Ted   ( @badgepuff )   and Marlene   ( @starryeyxdmckinnon​ )  and Doe had committed to making at least one bad decision tonight.   She bit her lip ,   a soft smirk on her lips.   “Look who’s icecube just melted. Can I bet on the fact it’s because you are looking hot tonight.”   Her flirt game was off ,   as was her target ,   a fellow colleague.   “I ain’t never seens like that before, there’s always parchment hiding that pretty face.”