lucille jones

Jae poured her a glass and softly chuckled. His late wife was the only person he truly allowed to intrude in his office that wasn’t a client. Lucille being the first other person to be in his office after hours. He placed the cup in front of her leaned against the desk near her. “I actually don’t believe it or not, I’m not too fond of being disturbed after work hours. But don’t fear, you aren’t bothering me with needlessly boring questions,” he smiled looking down at his hands and then back up at Lucille.

“Oh really?” Lucille said with a teasing tone before she following her expression with a light laugh. The woman’s eyes narrowed as she slowly picked up her drink. “Why do I have a difficult time believing that, hm?” A playful glare was trained on him as she took a sip. “You’re a charming fellow - or at least it seems so right now. Surely there’s at least one or two women who’ve been keen to weasel their way in after hours.” Lucille took another slow sip of the drink, eyes over the edge of the glass at him the entire time.

Syb was struggling to judge the woman’s reactions to her suggested. She shifted nervously as she waited for a reply, relaxing when she finally got a reply. She was glad the woman had chosen the chai tea, it was one of my favourites and she could never get enough of the way that it smelled. “Alrighty, no problem” she chimed “can I get you anything else, a piece of cake, a pastry?”

@thxleoprincess​

The extra question caused Lucille to purse her lips a moment. “Oh I don’t know,” She said before letting out a small laugh. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Her eyebrows raised momentarily. “I’m sorry for being such a difficult customer right now. I imagine you’d much prefer I have just said everything immediately. I know that I would have,” Lucille huffed. Her nails tapped rhythmically against the table and she thought some more. “A pastry would be great.”

Syb couldn’t help but notice that the woman had an immediate presence. She wondered if perhaps she was from an important family. Syb had spent a lot of time studying people to improve the accuracy of her gifts and she could tell just from the way she was sitting the woman had bags of confidence. “There’s a couple of options- so if you’re looking for something warming i’d suggest chai tea- especially paired with a sprinkle of cinnamon” she suggested “but if you’re wanting a subtle kind of flavour white tea could do the trick.” Trying out all the different teas was one of Syb’s favourite things about working there. She found there was always a tea to match whatever mood you were in. It was like being hugged from inside.

@thxleoprincess​

Lucille’s eyes narrowed, nodding along as she listened to the woman’s suggestions. Her fingers intertwined on top of the table. She pressed her lips together in a line and when they parted she let out a long breathe. “The chai tea sounds incredible,” Lucille said with a warm smile. “Thank you. I’ll have one of those.”

Who: Open Where: Rosa Lee’s Teabag

The atmosphere at work over the past few days had been dire. Usually she was serving tea to groups of gossiping witches and wizards, but since the events at the ball most people she served sat quietly or talked in whispers. It hadn’t helped Syb’s own mood. This place was somewhere she could come to that made her smile, learning about the customers, sometimes even befriending some of them. Now she was just edging around the tables nervously. Usually it was somewhere she could get distracted from her troubles, but not right now. She knew that things would go back to normal in a few weeks, people tended to easily forget about tragedy. She noticed a new customer sit down and walked over to take their order. “Hello, what can I get for you today?” she asked, trying to be polite but not too chipper. 

Lucille had some work to catch on that wasn’t all that top secret for once and so she’d decided to take it out of office. The mood was far too hectic for her to be able to concentrate. She needed the break. So instead she’d taken to employing Rosa Lee’s Teabag as her office for the day. As she was spoken to, Lucille lifted her head from her papers with a small polite smile. “Hi,” She said gently before running her tongue along her bottom lip. “Hm - Could I get something cosy perhaps? Not too fruity or herby. Just a nice comforting taste. Is there something you’d recommend?” Her brain had been so wrapped up with getting the actual work done that she hadn’t spared a moments thought to what she’d order once she was actually there.

Jae moved over to his door opening it in a way that he stood far enough for her to go through first. “After you. Sometimes when times get as tough as they are now a bit of company and a drink always help. At least for me they do,” as she made her way in Jae softly closed the door behind him and beelined it for his decanter and cups. “Lucille how do you like your drinks? Neat?” He poured himself a glass. “On the rocks?” Scooped a bit of ice into his own. “Or mixed?” Jae placed his hand on the neck of the bottle and turned to face Lucille waiting for an answer. Eyes never really moving from her face.

Lucille wondered into Jae’s office, eyes scanning the room just as slowly. She couldn’t recall having been in here before honestly, and seeing people’s offices is always interesting. “Oh I completely agree,” She called casually over her shoulder although she very clearly wasn’t concentrating on what she’d said. Eventually her eyes moved to the last part of the room and it was Jae stood, prepared to make a drink. “On the rocks, please,” Lucille flashed a small smile before identifying a chair and setting herself down. “Do you host in here often then?”

OPEN STARTER

where: St Mungo’s cafeteria  when: the week after the solstice

Alastor cursed as he made his way through the large dinning hall in his wheelchair. His arms worked hard to push himself forward. He wished he knew a spell that would cause the chair to move by itself, perhaps he’d asked someone once he got back to the office. He peered through the glass display that housed multiple pies and an assortment of treats. He then cursed again as the automated service counter was too high for him to look over. Why was St Mungo’s so inaccessible? He looked over to the only other person in the room and called out to them. “Excuse me. Could you uh –” instantly feeling a little awkward, his pride faltering as he needed to ask someone to do a task he should have been able to do independently. “Could you perhaps buy me a pumpkin pastry? Here are the sickles, I just can’t reach the counter.” 

Lucille’s head was down in a book when she heard a relatively familiar voice. Her head then lifted and there was a sudden ache in her chest. It was Moody, in a wheelchair. “Alastor,” She sighed as she packed her book away slowly. “Of course,” Lucille nodded quickly. The woman’s bag was dropped on top of the table before she swerved around and hurried over to him. A hand rested on his shoulder. “I’ll get it,” It was hardy to hide the pity in her voice really. Lucille got the man his snack and then handed it to him. “Do you need to be somewhere or do you wanna come sit, and chat?”

Jae felt the air escape him as Lucille crashed into him. He eyed the woman up and down debating whether or not he would give her the time of day. Once he realized he was staring a bit longer than intended, he gave her a warm smile – or tried to. “It’s quite alright, I think we all have had a lot on our minds as of recently. We’re allowed to make simple mistakes because of that, these are tough times,” Jae fixed his blazer and looked back at the woman. These weren’t necessarily tough times for him, but he didn’t know anything about the lady across from him last thing he’d want is her knowing that. “If you need a breather you can come into my office? I have some fire whiskey?” Jae motioned behind him.

Lucille pursed her lips and nodded slowly. “Yes,” She said with a sigh. “I guess you could say that,” Her features faltered only for a second as she allowed herself a moment to really think about what had happened. This wasn’t the time ir place though so it really did only last a second before her face lightened up again. “Fire whiskey you say?” Lucille said with a cock of her head before clapping her hands together. “You know what,” A small smile grew. “Why not?”

It was fair to say that the last month could have been better. Work felt like so much more of an effort compared to usual. Being in the building didn’t quite feel the same anymore. Lucille’s head was down staring at twiddling thumbs as she headed out of the building - Which was what lead to her colliding with someone. “Oh blimey,” She huffed as her head snapped up. Her hands smoothed out her dress, brows furrowed. “I’m sorry. I find myself somewhat distracted as of late.” What probably made the collision easier was that she’d collided with someone relatively attractive.  | @jaemulciber​​

Lucille has basically been constantly emotionally drained since the ball. Work was intense and she personally knew people who had been injured or wounded. She’d been in the ward for about an hour, just to keep Laurel company, when she felt she needed air. So the woman headed out slowly. She was only two steps out the door when she bumped into someone. Lucille lifted her head. “Hm?” It was a familiar face at least. “Hi -- Sorry.” | @alluring-adairia

“I don’t think many parents and children would agree on what the best thing is,” Lily smiled wryly. She loved her parents dearly, but she was fairly confident even they couldn’t pin down her taste in romantic partners. “It’s just not very romantic, is it? Even in Austen the women never marry the men they’re intended to.” She cringed at herself for referencing Muggle literature even as she said it. “I certainly don’t mind it as much as I pretend I do. I love seeing everyone looking their best. Makes the world seem kinder, just for a second.”

Lucille grinned as the woman spoke. “Well,” She started with a wave of her hand. “Arranged marriages do happen and some of them are quite successful. Do you not think that marrying your childhood sweetheart is something similar too? You’re just destined slash supposed to end up with them and you do,” The woman rattled on before taking a slow exhale. “Everyone just loves a party. There’s no better combination than good outfits, your friends and alcohol really.”

“It’s certainly extravagant,” she nodded with a smile. Looking around the room it was clear to see how much work and money had been put into the whole event, from the decorations to the music, everything was to a very high standard. “Thank you,” she smiled. “Did you come with a date?” she asked curiously. “Half the people I’ve talked to seem to be disappointed with their dates already,” she added, scrunching up her nose slightly as she spoke.

“Isn’t it just?” Lucille sighed dreamily. The woman’s comment made her laugh. “Oh that’s a shame to hear,” She continued to chuckle. “I came alone though. I wouldn’t dare bring someone as a date to an event like this unless I was certain they were worthy - to avoid such situation you just mentioned.” Lucille’s laughter slowly died down as she took a few breathes.

Emmeline just laughed, shaking her head. “They are pretty good at it too. They are the ones tending to get me out of the office too…” she mused a grin on her face. “Okay. I will agree that the drinks are pretty great….” She murmured with a shrug. “Nice company? I suppose so if you ignore all the purists”

Lucille grinned and smiled although the smile faltered briefly. “I mean, that’s a bit of a sweeping statement don’t you think,” Her head cocked to the side. “I’m not a pure blood but I still think that they have some points.” Lucille’s head hung a moment as she shrugged. Her voice was hushed.

Andra hadn’t expected to have to answer questions about where her Mother was tonight, but she had quickly come up with an excuse that she had gone to France on urgent Rosier business. Now that the social season was upon them, Andra was going to have to figure out ow to explain away all of her maman’s absences. But she just kept a smile on her lips as she nodded and the woman moved on. Grabbing another glass of wine from a passing waiter, she brought the glass to her lips, relieved that that conversation was over. Glancing at the woman that stepped up beside her, she nodded her head in greeting. “It’s been a lovely evening so far. I’m hoping that it continues to be one,” She responded. “And how about you? Are you enjoying your evening?”

As the woman replied, Lucille caught sigh of the glass in her hand. “Oh sorry did I disturb you,” She chuckled gently and waved a hand. “I’m having a lovely time though, thank you.” It really was a splendid evening so far. Absolutely everyone was dressed marvellously. This was how Lucille wished everything could be all the time. Lucille cocked her head. “You’re -- Rosier, right? You work at Witch Weekly?”

From one conversation to another, these events were always bursting with chats and chin wags, everyone eager to make their rounds to everyone they knew. For Eleanor, this was mostly to show off her dress and get a look at other people’s, eager to see what everyone was wearing. She was just finishing up one conversation when someone else came up to and she smiled in greeting. “Hi Lucille,” Eleanor replied. While the two weren’t close friends, the mutual connection in Decius meant that had met many times in the past. “I’m having a great time, and yourself?” she asked before adding. “You look beautiful.”

Eleanor was a familiar face. Lucille didn’t know if she’d go as far as saying they were friends, but she felt comfortable knowing that she wouldn’t be struggling for conversation or common ground. “It’s a wonderful evening isn’t it,” If her smile wasn’t already visible, you’d have heard it in her voice. “Thank you,” She glanced down at her outfit before slowly sliding her hands down over the material. “You look lovely too.”

“They hate me. Why can’t I hate them?” Emmeline mused, a little innocent look on her face as she looked at Lucille. Then she just grinned. “Yep. She and Amos managed to convince me….” She mused, with a shrug. “I suppose I’m having a decent time. Much prefer the pub though”

Lucille wasn’t surprised by the combination of people who’d brought the woman along. “That does sound like them,” She smiled and nodded slowly. “Just a decent time? But the place is so wonderful, the refreshments are all good, there’s nice company.” The woman continued to explain.

Emmeline detested events like this. Whilst she like dressing up, she really hated the prueblood world. But somehow Amos and Hestia had managed to convince her to come. At least she could enjoy some free alcohol and laugh at the silly pureblood idiots. She looked up as she heard a voice, and she smiled as she realised it was Lucille. “Hi Lucille” She murmured with a smile. “Oh. Of course. Love a good ball full of people I hate”

Lucille listened with amusement at the woman’s words. “Now hate is a very strong word Emmeline, a word that only divides,” She chuckled gently. “I’m going to assume Hestia dragged you along?” Personally she could never imagine having such a hate for events like this.