Barnett Lee
New Member
Gryffindor Student
Found the Thunder
Posts: 126
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Post by Barnett Lee on Sept 1, 2005 19:51:44 GMT
(OOC: Apologies for the delay!)
Barnett winked at the shopkeeper teasingly, hoping to maintain a verbal barrier between them as Aidana changed. The woman frowned sternly, but a blush crept into her cheeks.
His head snapped forward to attention when Aidana stepped out from her stall. A lean smile snuck onto his face, broadening when he noted her expression. She was standing there, positively fuming, and her red hair looked like it was made up of long whips of fire. And, although he didn't care to understand much about matching attire, he was pretty sure the two reds meshed together well.
"Perfect." He chirped, digging the necessary sickles out of his pocket and handing them to the clerk. "Thanks, Aidana. You're a dear."
He inclined his head slightly, meeting her angry gaze with a casual shrug. Her threat wound around his head, poking there tentatively. She couldn't be so furious to demand a particularly harsh repayment, could she? It didn't matter. He was soaking up the moment of anger-drenched death glares.
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Post by Aidana Hawkins on Sept 3, 2005 2:09:31 GMT
Aidana gave another scowl as Barnett decided to buy the robes. She vagely wondered what would really happen to them, as she doubted he would really send it to his imaginary cousin. Well, considering him, he might actually try to do that. She looked up at him, and gave him the worst glare she could muster. " I'm glad I could be of service Mr. Lee," she said through gritted teeth. Without waiting for a reply she turned around and went back to the changing rooms.
She needed to get out of these acursed robes. She changed back into the clothes she was wearing before. Unceremoniously bundling them up, she walked back to the front of the store and tossed them on to the table. The shopkeeper gave her a disapproving look, as she had wrinkled the fabric, but Aidana could care less. "I'm sure your cousin will love them for her birthday. They're so perfect for her," she said lightly, but with a sarcastic edge.
The shopkeeper had finished wrapping up the robes, and held them out for someone to take. Aidana ignored her and pulled on her cloak. She turned to Barnett and once again glared at him. This was starting to become a habit wasn't it? " You can begin repaying me by buying me ice-cream at Fortescue's," she said in an icy voice. "Then we'll see from there." She spun around on her heel and walked out into the dreching rain, pulling her hood up as she did so.
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Barnett Lee
New Member
Gryffindor Student
Found the Thunder
Posts: 126
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Post by Barnett Lee on Sept 3, 2005 19:00:50 GMT
Barnett chuckled, grabbing the the robes from the table and winking at the shopkeeper, who still looked peeved at one thing or another. To alleviate the stress, she reached for the chocolate box on the stool...
He ran out into the rain after Aidana, laughter and curse words spilling from his mouth, interwoven. He tucked the new, yet crumpled, robes over his belt to keep them dry under his cloak. In a matter of seconds, every other part of him was drenched. He came up behind her, snaking his fingertips around her elbow and parading along beside her, grinning and shaking his hair back off of his forehead, slicked with raindrops. "Readily done, readily done." He murmured into her ear, pulling her along and stretching his legs out farther to get there as quickly as possible. Though, admittedly, the rain hammering down wasn't completely unpleasant.
"I think, pet, that you take yourself an inch too seriously." He told her gently, eyes scanning the street for any oncoming traffic, since they were raging down the center of the street. He saw none. What was he expecting to see, cars? Wizards didn't much appreciate the use of cars. But then, there really was any use once you master apparition. "If I were shopping for a male cousin, I would've tried them on, you realize. And neither of would much want to see that putrid woman in otherwise stunning robes - which you looked beautiful in, I should add." He chuckled, maneuvering awkwardly to his pocket, digging out a handful of sickles and started counting them in the palm of his hand.
"Are you sure you want icecream in the middle of a thunderstorm?" He asked thoughtfully. "I appreciate the spontaneity, but logically..."
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Post by Aidana Hawkins on Sept 4, 2005 0:45:40 GMT
Aidana suddenly stopped in the middle of the street, brimming with anger. The freezing rain pouring down from the heavens wasn't helping much to quell her. Why did this boy have to be so infuriating? Was he always this way, or was he just doing this solely for her benefit? For the good of the world, she hoped it wasn't the former. " Two things!" she yelled over the sound of the thunder. " First of all, flattery won't get you anywhere. That never works with people like me. Second of all, let go!"
She yanked her arm out of his grasp and continued walking down the street. By this time, the water had almost soaked her through, and she was slightly shivering. As much as Aidana hated to admit it, Barnett had a point. Ice-cream was completely out of the picutre. Without offering any explanation, she changed direction, leaving him to follow. She turned off of the Alley and came up to a giant brick wall. Taking out her wand, she tapped a brick and walked through after the doorway opened.
Aidana stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, welcomed by a warm rush of air. She sat down at a small table at the back of the room near the roaring fire. The tavern was especially crowded today because of the storm. Snatches of happy conversations could be heard, and she almost smiled. Then she saw Barnett and the potential smile turned into a frown. She ignored him for a second and motioned to a passing waitress to bring two butterbeers. Something warm was exactly what she needed. Not being able to avoid it any longer, she turned to the boy she had so recently met.
" I take myself so seriously?" she asked incredulously. " What about you? Do you always expect to get everything you want? Oh, here's a better one. Do you always expect to get what you want using just your looks and flirting skills? Like that box of chocolates at Madam Malkins, and what you said to that lady." Her voice now took on a harsh mocking tone. " Oh, I'm getting this for my cousin, and it's just that she's so petite! Will you try them on for me?"
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Barnett Lee
New Member
Gryffindor Student
Found the Thunder
Posts: 126
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Post by Barnett Lee on Sept 4, 2005 1:08:39 GMT
Barnett stared at her for a very long moment, his hands flat on the tabletop. His shoulders were shaking very slightly, as much as he tried to contain it, because of cold. The enveloping feeling that the tavern held though was going to thaw him out very quickly. However, he doubted that the icy blockade that the girl had put out was going to melt as quickly.
He cleared his throat.
"I have something for you." He tugged the slightly damp, slightly wrinkled dress robes. He murmured a quickly impervius that made the water clinging there to repel immediately. Unfortunately, he couldn't think of any unwrinkling spells off the top of his head. He held the robes over the table with as much flourish as possible without poking anyone's eye out.
"Somehow I think it will fit you perfectly. I apologize for the wrinkles." He said gently, something that looked dangerously like a sincere smile on his mouth.
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Post by Aidana Hawkins on Sept 4, 2005 2:38:04 GMT
Aidana was quite taken aback at Barnett's response. Was he actually being nice? She fully expected him to be exasperating to her and do something to make her madder. Even a sharp retort would've been better than what he was doing. It didn't make sense to her at all. After a few moments of thinking, she came to what she believed was a logical conclusion. He was just trying to disprove what she had said.
The waitress arrived with the drinks, and Aidana was spared a few more moments before responding. She wrapped her fingers around the mug, savoring the warmth for a second before taking the first sip. The delicious liquid entered her mouth, melting her from head to toe. It was the most welcoming feeling she had all day. A butterbeer in this type of weather was exactly what she needed. What the drink had failed to do, however, was change her attitude.
Aidana set down the now half-empty mug, and looked straight at Barnett. " You know, you aren't proving anything by being nice," she said nodding towards the robes he held out towards her. " If you're just trying to show me that you aren't what you really are, it's not working. I was completely horrible to you, and all you do is give me something. That doesn't make sense."
" Your little mindgames won't work on me Lee. They might work on the shopkeeper, and whomever else you meet, but definitely not me. I have to ask. Were you spoiled as a child? Did you get exactly what you wanted and more? That's the only reason I could think of. You're just trying to prove I'm wrong. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. Why would you choose to give me these robes? They're obviously very expensive, and you hardly know me. You could just as easily return them in a few days and say your cousin didn't like them at all. This is all fun to you isn't it Lee? All one big mindgame..." She looked at him through narrowed emerald eyes, not believing what he was doing.
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Barnett Lee
New Member
Gryffindor Student
Found the Thunder
Posts: 126
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Post by Barnett Lee on Sept 4, 2005 21:47:00 GMT
Again Barnett held his piece when Aidana spoke. He even, quite daringly he thought, took a swig of his butterbeer in a most casual gesture. He laid the robes back onto the table because his arm was aching and he was feeling slightly less confident that she would accept his gift.
"I don't want to return them." He said finally. "They were bought for you. You can return them if you wish, but do not do it in your gift-givers presence, as it is usually thought to be rude." He tugged on one ear, grimacing uncomfortably at her mention of mind games. There was no flattering way to admit to it - but that's what it was, more or less. It's what he did, quite deliberately, on a daily basis. Take someone's views and try to rearrange them. Or, more true, just to confuse the hell out of them and take notes on the aftermath. Yet the way she spit those words out, it sounded like 'repulsive flobberworm'. And that's not how he wanted to be remembered.
"Mind games aren't something too uncommon, Miss Hawkins." He discovered his route and took it slowly. "It's something I'm sure you are guilty of doing on a daily basis - more then you might realize. That's too vague a box for you to put me in. I admit, I was being a prick to Malkins. Oh well. I probably made the woman's day!" He certainly thought modesty was below him. "But - but, when I asked you to try the things on, it was with the intent on buying them if they fit you. I mean, I'll be an honest man and admit that I was trying to be impressive - but that's nothing. No mind games - just repaying you for helping me with the chocolates. Alright?"
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Post by Aidana Hawkins on Sept 5, 2005 1:21:21 GMT
Aidana raised an eyebrow as Barnett replied to her completely true accusations. Well, this was certainly amusing wasn't it? She had noticed something about him since they had first met just recently. If there was one thing this boy wasn't, it was humble. Judging by his demeanor about Madam Malkins, it seemed as if he was proud of the way he behaved with her. " Oh yes, I'm sure she's never met anyone like you before," she said wryly. It was probably true too, though not in the way he probably thought it was.
A small smirk began to grow on her face as she was accused of the same crime that she said he was guilty for. So that was his game, she understood now. He had turned the tables on her, offense was the best defense. She took a small sip of her butterbeer before speaking again." Pray tell," she began in a light voice, setting down the large mug. " What mind games have I played today? As you seem to believe I do on a daily basis."
" Oh, and the stolen robes don't count. I was doing that for you, and it wasn't much of a mind game anyway. At least I wasn't trying to be impressive, I had a much more tangible goal in my mind with that trick. I don't believe it was a mind game. So, why were you trying to impress Madam Malkins? It wasn't as if she would remember you the next time you walk into that shop." Aidana was looking at him with genuine curiosity, though some involuntary mockery was interlaced in. This boy certainly was confusing. Nothing he did remotely made sense to her. At the shop, it seemed as if he was deliberately trying to infuriate her, and now he was offering her gifts? Confusing indeed.
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Post by Aylen Hawkins on Sept 6, 2005 12:18:33 GMT
(ooc: I'm sorry, dear sister, but the urge to barge in has grown too much to bear. ) The door to the pub burst open, revealing three wizards with flaming red hair in a heated argument. One look at their emerald gazes confirmed that these three were definitely relatives of Aidana. The youngest one seemed to be more drenched than the other two, if at all possible. The storm had not yet ceased its merciless precipitation. “No, no, no!” the tallest one said, vehemently. “Cheese tastes green, Anil.” “Cheese, does not taste green. It tastes fuchsia,” the other said. The messiness of his hair indicated he had tried to spike it back in the popular muggle fashion, but the rain had quickly put an end to that. “Will you guys shut up already?” the last moaned. “You’ve been going at it all day!” He blew the bangs out of his eyes only to have them fall into them again. Anil pulled him into a playful noogie. “But little brother,” he said grinning. “We must solve the great mystery of the universe. All you care about are the hawks and your Quidditch, Aylen.” Aylen squirmed out of his grasp, and catching sight of his twin, he dove behind her comically. “Aidana,” he whined jokingly. “Anil and Ilmar are teasing me again.” It was only then that he realized his sister wasn’t alone. “Erm, were you busy?” he asked awkwardly.
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Barnett Lee
New Member
Gryffindor Student
Found the Thunder
Posts: 126
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Post by Barnett Lee on Sept 10, 2005 2:27:39 GMT
Barnett tilted his head to the side, gazing intensely at Aidana. He was obviously trying to wrap his tongue around a convincing statement that wasn't coming. He had a point to begin with, but it was too vague a concept to pull off convincingly. And he has always believed that if you can't do something one hundred percent, o none at all. He frowned. Before he was even able to make any decisions, a boy of close age dove behind Aidana. Quickly deducing their relationship on account of the fire red of both their hairs, he smiled easily and leaned back in his seat.
"You're not interrupting anything." He assured the other boy, though he looked at Aidana when he said it. "We were just admiring her new dress robes." Flinching only very slightly, he gestured toward the robes on the table so as not to cause any conflict. Brothers fists tended to hurt more then a boyfriends. He smiled cautiously, like a dog defensively showing his teeth.
"Ah, you're welcome to join us if you need a place to sit. This place most likely sells cheese, you may be able to settle your debate." He said evenly, only the ghost of a wink.
((Au contraire. You posted that when I was writing this. I take a bit of time, mi apologies.))
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Post by Aylen Hawkins on Sept 10, 2005 18:59:10 GMT
The brothers exchanged glances. It was clear what they were thinking. Since when did Aidana buy dress robes without mother forcing her? Nevertheless, all three of them came to different conclusions.
Aylen, Aidana’s twin, obtained a panicked expression. “Oh, no. Mother’s looking for me too, isn’t she?” He scanned his surroundings nervously. He sighed and flopped down on the chair beside Aidana. “I don’t want new dress robes.”
Judging by the dark look on his face, the oldest brother, Anil, had a more accurate impression of what was happening. Catching the expression on his brother’s face, Ilmar quickly spoke. “I was under the impression that you were watching the package for a friend,” Ilmar commented, shooting a warning look at him. He smiled reassuringly at Barnett, who looked as if he felt somewhat cornered. “Anil, go buy some cheese, will you?”
The hotheaded Anil was four years older than the twins, and fiercely protective of his youngest siblings, though he was considered an adult wizard and no longer lived with the rest of his family. His expression didn’t change, but he reluctantly strode towards the bar.
“So,” Aylen said grinning. Apparently, he had not noticed a thing. “You’re up at the school too, right? What’s your house?”
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Post by Aidana Hawkins on Sept 10, 2005 23:16:45 GMT
Aidana impatienly waited for an answer from Barnett. He had a lot to answer to and she had just gotten started asking. Before he could reply though, three redheads had entered the tavern and one of them had dived behind Aidana. She looked up and, with some surprise, saw two people she hadn't seen in a long time. Her two older brothers Anil and Ilmar, and judging from their appearance they hadn't escaped the storm either. The three sat down at the table, and Aidana rolled her eyes at their exchange of words. Cheese? Somehow it made sense that her stupid brothers would be arguing over a useless thing like that.
" No, no you didn't inturrupt anything," she said after Anil left. She glanced at Ilmar and smiled, silently thanking him for avoiding Anil making some big scene over nothing. Her oldest brother was known for overdramatizing everything. There was a reason that Ilmar was her favorite brother, even with his muggle eccentricies. Like when they were young, it was usually him to quelled Aylen's arguments with her. He was the nice brother.
" No Aylen, Mother isn't here," she snapped. Finally she noticed that there had been no introductions made. " Oh, these are my brothers Ilmar and Aylen. The idiotic one is my twin and the one who thinks cheese tastes green is Anil. And my dear brothers, this is Lee. We just met at Madam Malkin's and were having an enlightning discussion about mind games. Apparently he thinks that I've been playing them too often. So Lee, continue," she prompted.
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