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Harry Potter:"Do you really think there's going to be a war, Sirius?"
Sirius Black: "It… feels like it did before."
TURN ON THE LIGHT is a Post- Potter roleplay that takes place twenty-five years after the Second Wizarding War.
We welcome canon and original characters in this (currently) sandbox style roleplay.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 2, 2022 20:22:40 GMT
Nathaniel sat in front of Honeydukes. It was a nice enough day that he decided to read one of his usual books outdoors while he waited for his old acquaintance (or was it friend?). Today's choice was a muggle novel entitled War and Peace. A rather thick bit of reading but it wasn't something that intimidated the ginger in the slightest. He loved to read. It was one of his favorite things in the entire world both wizarding and muggle. You could transport your mind without even moving a step. That was the real magic. Far more impressive than apparating in his opinion.
It was as he turned the page and scanned midway down that he felt the presence of someone in front of him who then plopped down. He would know that plop anywhere. Peering out from behind the novel his hazel eyes fell on quite the sight - if it wasn't Sally Byrne. At least, he thought so. As energetic as she was she seemed a bit out of sorts this morning and in a split second, the former Ravenclaw was able to piece together why. He should have known.
"I see that Miss Silvias had you out late into the evening..." He noted, not in judgment but more so observation as he slid his bookmark into the spot where he left off at, carefully closing and setting his latest read down. "Or perhaps the morning." Nathaniel tilted his head at the woman seated opposite him trying his best not to crack a smile. "Surely you have seen your bed in the last twenty-four hours." Then again... "Perhaps not." As a woman dropped off a cup filled with steaming tea for him, he nodded politely in thanks before quietly pushing it toward Sally.
Once he had her attention he nodded toward the offered cup on the table in front of her awaiting her move. "Go on." And if she needed more convincing... "It's caffeinated. It's of a muggle variety. Ambrosius doesn't have a taste for it but his dear wife is kind enough to keep it on hand for me long as I keep coming by to deplete their supply." Merlin bless the Flumes. Both of them. "I'm doing my best." And yet more, gently convincing. "I could use the help though." The brit tried to encourage her before finally relenting, adjusting his posture in the wooden seat. "You do realize Miss Byrne, I requested that you check on Miss Silvias and make sure that she was getting along alright, not to see how much liquid your stomachs could carry..."
The hangover she had the next day from hanging out with Leah was unbelievable. Oh, how Sally regretted having thoughts drink with her. How did she let Leah talk her into it? She didn't remember. Well, at least she had fun with the old Tricee friend.
Sally looked over at the time. "Oh no!" she jumps out of bed, almost falling to the floor. She was supposed to meet Nathaniel for just a regular meet-up. She threw on some quick clothes and messy makeup and ran out the door.
When she arrived, she saw, of course, Nathaniel reading a book. "Hello, Nate, sorry I am late." she smiled, trying to cover up her hungover, but he was too good to see behind Sally's facade. "You know me too well." she smiled, laughing softly. "Well, I at least got maybe..." she looked down at the watch she was wearing. "Ok, about 2 hours."
Thankfully Nate was so kind as to push his tea towards her telling her to take the tea. "You are a blessing Nate." She smiled, taking the cup of tea and drinking it. Sally listened to him as he talked about the tea she was drinking. "That's so sweet of her. I'm surprised you know so much about muggle tea. You'll have to discuss more with me when I am not dying." She smiled, placing her lips on the cup and taking the much-needed sip.
She felt she was back in school when he scolded her about drinking so much with Leah. "You said check up on her, and I did, and I can't help if Leah wanted a drink. After all, she needed the company, and so did I. It gets quite dull sometimes, and well, Leah...she is a lot of fun. Don't tell her I said that." She was pretty serious. She didn't need Leah to rub it in her face that she considered her a close friend.
"Anway, I did what you asked of me. Now you can relax and at least have a cup with me." Sally winked at the quite handsome man. Sally was surprised she had enough energy to wink at him. Drinking with Leah took a lot of her, but she would do it again in a heartbeat.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 8, 2022 18:40:11 GMT
"Apologies not necessary. After all, I was the one who requested a visit so last minute. Entirely my fault." Nate. No one called him that but her. Sometimes his students and Leah would call him Nat to see if they could rile him up but Nate was something uniquely Sally. He didn't hate it. He didn't feel like it fit him but if Sally thought so... maybe it did?
"Two hours. Impressive." His attempt at a light joke and a poor one at that. Hopefully she would let him get away with it, this whole, trying to be an actual person with a life and not a teacher or auror all consumed with work and woe. Just this once. "You'll have to let me know your secret to a whole two hours of restfulness."
So now he went from 'Nate' to a blessing. His posture straightened a tad in his own excitement. He was a man who thrived on positivity. He did enjoy praise. Blame being raised by an adoring but always there single mother. All he ever wanted to do was make the women in his life proud and happy.
"Gladly. Tea is one of the few things I'm an expert at." You know tea, battling bad guys, magic, charms, literature quotes... there was plenty he was good at and yet he was humble about it all.
"Perhaps a little too much." For the first time a frown formed over his thin lips. Luckily he caught himself and cleared his throat, already in damage control. "Not you Sally, er, Miss Byrne, not you, her... Not Miss Byrne, I mean Miss Silvias, Leah... Leah..." Finally he got back on track and out of startled panic land. "She is having a difficult time. As you can no doubt tell." He released the big breath that he had been holding. "It can get bad." His hazel eyes met with Sally's as if confessing. "It already has." Looking around careful to avoid anyone prying he leaned forward speaking to her in a hushed voice. "There is a lot that she isn't telling you, you realize. A lot that she wouldn't even tell me but she has dark days, dark nights as well. She almost died, Sal.." His new pet name for her hung in the air and he straightened in his seat. "It'll get worse before it gets better." No need to be an alarmist Nat. Whispering like it's some sort of conspiracy. It's just a person. One who needed help. Calm down.
"Correct. You did." There he was, smiling a little again. Leah's owls were right, Sally did have a knack for cheering one up. Maybe that's why he tasked with her what he did. She wasn't just a magical reader she also could create smiles out of the worst times. "Me? Relax? You act as though I'm new to the idea." He turned a little red at the thought trying to force a laugh as if it was funny when it was true. "Perhaps I am..." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small bag of candies helping himself to one before offering the satchel out to Sally so she could also partake.
"No, I have to apologize. I'm not particularly eager to keep people waiting, especially my good friends. " She hated the thought of not being on time, especially when she told people when she would arrive. She said Nate a time, and she should have been there, "last minute or not, I should have been here on time.
Sally huffed. "Well, it's not something I recommend, and I don't know how I am hanging on right now." She smiled, taking another sip of tea. Thank goodness Nate let her have his, and she needed it.
"Tea, and don't forget charms." After all, he was her charms teacher in the past and was a great teacher. He taught her quite a lot. Not many people were good teachers, yet an amazing one like Nate. Sally was sad to see him leave Hogwarts, and it would have been nice to teach while he was still there.
She found it cute when Nate got flustered with names. She held back her smile as he tried to correct himself.
"Oh, I didn't know that. You know Leah doesn't tell me much of anything at all, in fact." Leah was a closed book to Sally, especially after they had gone there after school, but now that they were reunited, she wanted Leah to have someone to open up to when she wasn't feeling her best. "I just want to help her if I can." She said softly to Nate. She did not like to see someone she was close to suffering. If there were anything she could do to help, she would. "Is there anything you know I could too to make her open up more or just help?" She asked Nat, knowing he knew Leah the best out of the two.
Sally laughed. "You might be new to it. After all, I ever see you working even off the clock." She wasn't sure how Nate relaxed and had always seen him working. Even now, he seemed like he was on a mission.
"Oh yes, please." Sally took the candy that Nate offered and ate it. "So much better. No wonder why Leah hired you as her bodyguard."
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 9, 2022 19:11:20 GMT
"Well, that's perfectly alright. No harm done." Nathaniel did his best to sway any nerves she may have had about her tardiness. Truth be told he didn't mind in the slightest just as long as she showed at all and this day and age there was no guaranteeing that... scary as it was. "You're here now and that's what matters. That and finishing off Ambrosius' supply." A poor attempt at a joke. Still, he had given a go of it. As if on cue Ambrosius' wife delivered another cup to him, giving the once Charms Professor a knowing, warm smile as he quietly and very humbly thanked her, before seeing herself off.
"I know that you do." In a world that there wasn't a lot to be sure of, Sally caring about others was a given. Thank Merlin for that. "I am certain that you are helping her a great deal... Even if she doesn't say it." Which Leah never would. Still, some things didn't need to be - even if it would be nice. Each in their own time. "I think just being there is enough. A familiar face I reckon is incredibly helpful to her in a time with so much change which we know she is so good at accepting." What was that? Another poor attempt at a joke? He didn't know what had come over him to be attempting those and so frequently. He ought to stop for both of their sakes.
At Sally's compliment, which she was so skilled at giving in a way that touched even the coldest of hearts, a slight blush of pink rose in his cheeks. "Ah. That is terribly kind to say." He moved a bit, uncomfortable in his seat under her gaze, and adjusted his posture to look more presentable settling instead on picking up his cup of tea. "But I'm afraid it was the Ministry who originally assigned me to her charge. If young Miss Silvias had her way, and she often tries to, she would have no, um, how does she say it... Muggle babysitter." Yeah, that was the line. Giving a little shrug he took a sip from the teacup grateful it at least hid his expression and for a few moments, stopped him from rambling on which Sally probably found so very boring.
"But enough of me rambling on..." He tucked the satchel back into his coat pocket before turning his attention back on the woman across from him. "Other than the late nights of mischief and trouble-making... How are you?"
"Your too kind, Nate." She smiled at him, trying to ease her about being late to see him. "Ha, well, you have a good choice in tea Nate. I think this tea is helping the hungover from Leah." Sally let out a tiny giggle. "Glad I can help you finish the last of it. I would have been sad if I didn't get a taste now." Sally tased him.
"I try my best with her, and I just feel like I could be doing more for her." Sally opened out to Nate. She did not like the idea of not doing enough for her friends and family and wanted to do as much as possible for Leah. After all, she was somewhat her best friend.
"I'm glad you think it's enough. It doesn't feel like enough, but that's just me." She smiled at Nate and let out another chuckle at his joke. "If only." Sally knew how Leah was changed hard, but it was necessary, especially to one safely.
"Well, it's very accurate, Nate." It is why she like Nate so much. He was so sweet and kind and would go out of his way for anyone. "Ministry or not, you were always so helpful." She counts help but keeps smiling at him. "Ha, leave it to Silivas to make that comment." Leah was good at comebacks and giving names to things she disliked. Sally, on the other hand, was quite her opposite.
Sally gave her head down and back at Nate. "Oh, I am fine, just boring old Sally." she teased him. "I'm sure you've been doing good. How is your job holding up? " She wondered how she liked his job. It was so different from teaching charms. "I wish you were still at Hogwarts. Then you have Leah and me bothering you all the time." She teased her old professor. She wondered what it would have been like if he was still teaching there.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 9, 2022 21:14:14 GMT
"I didn't know that there was such a thing." Nathaniel offered. Kindness being one of the key words folks tended to describe him as, along with quiet and polite, was a bit of the norm but being too much of either of those things? He didn't think it was possible.
"Neat little trick, that." He noted, pointing a little with a long index finger toward the tea she was drinking. Luckily he paid a great deal of attention in his classes at Hogwarts when he was a young Ravenclaw. A lot of what he learned was paying off every single day.
"Indeed. Well, that's in a lot of our natures isn't it? That we could be doing more. In fact, I would dare to say it's one of the core characteristics of the 'puffs." And Sally was an exemplary example of her house, wasn't she? "Truthfully, Miss Byrne, I think being Leah's friend is just what she needs and I think that you have been doing just that." He hoped his words provided some comfort for her. "Simple as it sounds for you and I for a player of her esteem after such dire circumstances, it is anything but simple to her." Having spent time with the Quidditch Keeper as a bodyguard and having her open up (some) during their time, he knew this much to be true.
"You are enough." Nathaniel offered to her sincerely, his hazel eyes catching hers for the briefest of moments before quickly diverting his gaze to his own tea and hurriedly forcing a sip into his mouth just to look away (even if it was too hot to do so). He toughed through the heat and swallowed it down. Shut up old man until you become a raving, but kindhearted lunatic, like Lovegood.
"Trust me. You lot were a lot of things during my tenure there but boring? No ma'am." He smiled, setting his cup down and crossing his legs. "And you'e not old." He couldn't let her get away with thinking that. But then she wanted to talk about work.
The brightness faded from his eyes as he weighed the pros and cons. "Different is an understatement." Work was pretty much his whole life. He didn't have a partner, kids, or really anything that any of his old school chums had. Work was all there was but in his line of career there was only so much that he could share. He had to tread lightly here and, more importantly, not let Sally know that he was doing just that. "There are some similarities though." A time crunch, catching up the younger ones, sleepless nights fretting about what mess they could get into. Course there wasn't a risk of getting murdered but he digressed. "You worry. Lots of that lately." He took a sip of his tea then.He should change the subject. He didn't need to ruin her day.
"What of your ranks? Are there any Sallys, Leahs, Rawiris, Ferricuses, etcetera?" There always were. Every single year. Thank Merlin for that.
"You are also so modest as well." Sally let out a chuckle at Nathaniel, being surprised by her words of him being kind.
"Very." She agreed with him, and she wondered how Nate was so brilliant also. She was pretty impressed with her old teacher. She didn't know how the man wasn't married, she didn't know, but anyone who took Nate off the market was a fortunate lady.
"I guess so." Sally laughed at his mention that it was in their nature to help, and Sally couldn't help. She was always looking out to help anyone in need. Nate was right, and it was the quality of a puff.
"I know, I know I want to help her more if I can, and it never feels like it is enough, I guess." She looked to the side, taking a sip of her tea. She never felt like she was doing enough for anyone, but It was nice to hear Nate tell her she was enough. Sally smiled at him, taking another sip. "See too kind again, Nate." She winked at him
"I'm glad we kept you on edge then, Nate. Must have made your life a little more fun." She smirked at him knowing how all of them were in school. She wasn't sure how Nate held on to his sanity with how they all acted. "Well, I feel old." she let out a chuckle. "Especially going back to Hogwarts and seeing all the new faces.
Sally smiled and placed her head down, looking at her tea and placing one finger on the rim. "As long as it is an excellent different, that's great." She looked back at him and smiled, hoping he was happy. "With everything going on, it's been scary. Especially adding that I have to worry about you getting hurt." She put ton her serious face with him. After everything that was happening, the world was scary, and Nate's job was quite dangerous.
"Oh, there quite many, some sweet and some well not so sweet." she laughed, telling him about her students. "It's a bit different teaching Divinvition than Charms, I would say." People respect charms, but many would say she was teaching nonsense.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 9, 2022 21:17:08 GMT
"You are too kind." That was one of many positive words to describe his once student. She was a good listener, a good friend to those who knew her, a strong supporter, and kind hearted. All things Nathaniel was glad to see her maintain in her adulthood when things could seem so bleak that such wonderful attributes were often cast aside for self preservation and greed. Thankfully, Sally seemed unaffected by it all. As much as one could anyways.
"Yes well... I suppose I can't help it." He admitted, a light shade of red in his cheeks at the humbling compliment that matched the dusty color of his hair. "You can blame my dear mother for that. She would appreciate it." His single mom had been a hardworking and very talented witch who raised her son up right. To respect women and to be a gentleman. She would have been thrilled to hear Sally's praises now. Honestly she would have enjoyed their own class. Sally, Leah, Ferry, Rawiri... Their little band of good natured, horribly entertaining, adoring fools. A bright light when things seemed so bleak. They were for him anyhow.
"That's putting it lightly." He noted modestly with a fond smile as he thought back to many years ago teaching their little crew. A smile that he soon hid behind a soft chuckle and a sip of tea. "You lot certainly kept me on my toes and prepared me for my current career. Death Eaters and ill wishers have nothing on the antics of your class. Mind you this is a compliment." A bigger smile pulled at the corner of his thin lips as he lowered his cup. As if on cue, the owner's wife came to top him off again without him asking. Nathaniel politely thanked her before she walked off.
"If you're old I'm petrified to know what I am." He squeezed his coffee cup at the light hearted admission. "Ancient?" A relic is more like it. His smile faded as she admitted her concern. She worried about him? No. That's your man ego rearing your head. Don't read too into it. It's nothing. Just a kind little anecdote. Still nobody ever really admitted to worrying about him before. Not since...
"There's nothing to worry about." He offered, trying to ease her fears if genuine. "I mean, there is but certainly not over me." And he meant it. He didn't see much worth in himself. Definitely not the way that others saw him. "I'll be perfectly fine as will you. Hogwarts is the safest place around. Always has been, always will be. As for me... Hasn't caught up with me yet." Realizing that probably didn't help he also turned more serious catching her eye. "I'll be careful." And he meant it. He would try at least.
"Perhaps we ought to talk about something else-" He offered not wishing to depress or worry her too much. "Like how Divination is indeed a valuable subject no matter what Miss Silvias may tell you." A half smile was offered despite how awkward he felt trying to lighten the mood. But he would attempt it. He always had a soft spot for that class. Still did.
Sally placed a grin on her face as he told her she was too kind. "Just telling it as it is." She looked at him grasping her half-empty tea cup in hand. Sally was fortunate that she had the pleasure of being part of Nate's life; he was indeed a kind man and so much more.
"Well, I think you have made your mother very proud." Nate was quite the gentleman, after all. He must have had a wonderful mother for bringing up such a good man. There weren't many around nowadays.
Sally let out a soft chuckle along with Nate. She didn't know how he maintained his sanity with their group, and she knew some of the other teachers went mad when the group walked into their class. Not Nate though he did prove he had a soft spot for them. It is what she approached most about Nate. He always gave people the benefit of the doubt. "Ha, you could have hired us to scare off any baddies." She joked with him, knowing how their antics used to be. "I know, quite a funny compliment. It's nice to think my younger self might be scaring off some Death Eaters." The image was in her head now, and she thought it quite funny.
"Oh no, I didn't mean to make you think that." She placed her cup down. "You're young in my eyes." She smiled at him, trying to make up for her comment of calling herself old.
"I care to disagree you have quite a dangerous job, Nate. With the breakout and the increases of crimes it's a bit scary to think of you fighting." Sally never liked the idea of losing someone close to her. She already had to deal with her father's death when she was young, and she didn't want to feel that again and lose control of her seer ability.
"Good, because Nathaniel, if anything happened to you, I will bring you back just to wring your neck." She laughed and then took a sip of her refilled tea.
"Yes, that's a good idea. I had enough of doom and gloom for a while." She placed her tea cup down. "I'm glad you think so! It is not just Silvias who thinks my work is well loony as some would say." She smiled at him, knowing all too well what some wizards and witches thought of her work.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 9, 2022 21:22:08 GMT
"Yes, well, she certainly tells me that to an unrelenting degree." Nathaniel noted about his mother. She may have been pushing eighty but the woman was still a firecracker with an airtight memory and would brag about her only child to anyone who would listen... including to the boy himself! "Consider yourself lucky to have been spared." Though the stories about her son were probably a lot his mother was known to be an incredibly kind and witty woman who, upon first inspection of Sally, would have offered her a few dinner courses followed by a spot of tea remarking on how thin she was. Though she did say that to everyone including a very portly man who once assisted her with plumbing work. Something that could have been easily fixed with magic mind you, but dear old mum adored speaking to folks particularly muggles as she found them horribly interesting.
"If I had the foresight to have done that I fear I would be out of a job." He chuckled a bit at her recommendation. "The world would be a far safer place with you all at the helm. A bit nutty, a bit disorganized, but never the less good intentioned." Though all of them were grown Nathaniel sometimes had trouble looking at them in a different light other than protective. They were a refreshing and big-hearted lot - one that he was honored to call former students as well as hold in high regard as current friends.
"Ah, well..." At her trying to ease the blow about his age he looked away, smiling obviously humbled and a bit sheepish. "The notion is appreciated whether true or not." He hoped that she didn't see the warmth rising in his cheeks as it would have made things even worse. "I do fear compared to you lot I am practically, what the muggles would call, prehistoric. A dinosaur." Less exciting than dragons but somewhat similar... minus the wings, the fire breathing, and the location.
"You need not worry, Sally." He told her, actually using her first name which is something he rarely did when speaking to anyone. It was always polite titles, or Miss that, or Mister that. In the heat of the moment, genuinely concerned over her fretting, that he slipped. "One is more likely to be hit by a muggle bus than receive an unforgivable and I hardly find myself in the company of buses." He offered her a weak smile trying to awkwardly lighten the mood. Sure what he said wasn't entirely true but he would do something out of character to protect another's feelings. Those were too precious to squander and waste. Keep what little innocence and joy there was left in the world - even if it wasn't intended for you.
"I'll make sure to schedule a good wringing in my calendar." He watched her laugh with a smile. It was nice to see happiness in front of him rather than dread. "Divination is far from loony." He went on, now having been set up for one of his lectures/rambles that he was likely to do in front of a class or whoever had the patience and interest to listen. "In fact, I dare say, it is a focus that ought to be revered. We don't judge or slander journalists or reporters do we? In many ways Divination serves as a sort of newscasting far before the news has even occurred so, in reality, it is probably far more valuable. Why put importance in the latter but not the former that is far timelier?" Catching himself he blushed again, looking away abashed by his behavior. "Just a thought anyways..." He took a sip of his tea then, in an attempt to quiet himself. Shut up old man.
"I'm glad that she reminds you unrelenting," Sally smirked at him as she teased him a bit. "Ha, well, now I will have to meet her. I won't mind hearing some stories about kid Nate as well." Sally thought the idea would be pretty fun indeed. Hearing stories about her former teacher sounded quite fun in her mind.
"Quite true." Sally agreed with him, of course, jokingly. She cringed at the idea of their little band of fellows banding together. "Oh, that be a big mess, but as you said, we would have good intentions." She looked down and took a sip of her tea once more. It was pretty funny the idea of them making the world safer. In her eyes, they were still kids trying to figure things out.
"Sorry, I am not very good with my wording," Sally admitted, and she felt she could make it quite awkward regarding conversation. "Oh no, Nate, no one thinks you are a dinosaur, and if so, you are an adorable one." She let out a tiny chuckle awkwardly. She needed to quiet herself before she made it even more awkward, so she took a sip of tea.
"How can I not worry, Nate." Sally placed down her tea cup. With all the chaos, it only seemed like worse things were coming their way. She had seen it by how the birds were acting lately. It only spelled more danger was on their way, and Nate was in front of the line to get hurt. Why did he have to be a hero? A small smile came to her face as he watched him try to confront her about the idea of getting harmed. "You always knew how to lighten the room, Nate." She tilted her head with a warm smile.
"It's nice to hear you say that." Not many people were kind enough to say those words. Sally had always had to bite her tongue when people were disrespectful about her field. It was okay if you did not want to believe it, but it was one thing when people degraded you for it. "A very nice and important thought. It means a lot to me." A soft smile came to her face.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 9, 2022 21:36:20 GMT
"Oh. I assure you that she has plenty of those and some to spare. She'll tell them to anyone who will listen much to my chagrin." He chuckled softly, a light rosy blush appearing on his cheeks as he thought of his dear ole mum and took another sip of his tea. So he was a bit of a mama's boy? He was her only son. Her only child. Her husband long gone. The man of the house. Nathaniel Zimmer: Dutiful, sweet, well-read, well-mannered, and polite. Why wouldn't he be the light of her life? All of her time and effort had gone into raising a well-rounded man that any mother should have been rightly proud of (wizarding or muggle). "I find them all horribly unexciting and repetitive but she finds them amusing and, god willing, she can always find someone to share them with." The bank teller, their waiter, a random passerby. Unlike Nathaniel, his mother had the gift of gab and was well known and liked within the many circles.
"You're plenty good." He corrected her gently, unable to allow her to talk poorly of herself even if it was conversationally or lightly in jest. He was here to build those dear to him up not to tear them down when the world and their anxious minds did that already for them. "Pardon?" When she called him adorable his blush intensified to the point that it carried to the tips of his ears. Suddenly very self-aware and more than a little bit nervous he picked up a cloth napkin and dabbed at his mouth even though there weren't any crumbs or drops. Something to hide how red his face was getting but also the goofy smile that was so unlike the shy man. "I appreciate the sentiment Miss Byrne but hardly. Dinosaur maybe but the former... hardly." His hazel eyes caught hers, holding her gaze and attention for perhaps a bit longer than they should have. "It does the heart good to hear though, true or not." Bless her heart. Even thinking that inwardly amused him. His mother would have thought the same thing but said it aloud.
"Some would argue otherwise." He offered gently even though it wasn't true. While Nathaniel wasn't boisterous like the class he was so fond of to this day he still never entered a room with ill intentions. He simply cared about sharing knowledge and protecting those dear to him. He had always been an old soul (even as a child) but a good one as well. "I do know that as much as I tell you to not fret that you will just worry doubly as much as perhaps I should keep my little reassurances to myself, hm?" He lowered his gaze trying to once again capture her gaze with a little smile, hopefully it would relax her and she wouldn't work herself up. He wasn't sure that his heart could stand it. Not with her. So, he opted to distract her, lightly offering his empty tea cup to her.
"Will you read it for me?" He asked delicately, not wanting to force her to 'work' but if she chose to share her talents in Divination in lieu of worrying about him and his future he wouldn't complain. Far from it actually. "Perhaps you will have good news for me..." Unlikely.
Sally couldn't help but smile at how he went on about his mother. "I would be the one she can share with, haha!" The idea of hearing stories about Nate excited her. While she once knew him as her teacher, she knew little about him outside his proper exterior. "But it is nice that your mother adores you so well, which one can see why." A smile came across her face, and she looked down, sipping her tea.
"You are once again too kind, Nate." The man knew how to talk to people and how to keep encouraging them. That's why he was such a great teacher and a friend.
Sally's cheeks turned red as she realized what she had said to him. What was she thinking? She thought. She looked down at her tea and took a sip real quick. Maybe the tea would help her not say such things, but when he mentioned he might be the dinosaur part, she could not help herself. "Oh, so you're telling me that I am wrong." She smirked as she met his eyes. For a moment, she held his gaze back. He had pretty lovely eyes, she thought, as she felt that she finally broke his gaze and looked at her teacup. "Well, I am glad to be the one to help your heart." She placed her cup down, folding her arms into her lap.
"I know, but it's hard to think of you getting hurt or worse. Leah would probably bring you back from the dead and then kill you for leaving if anything happened to you." Sally joked, and there was no doubt that Leah wouldn't do that in her mind.
Another smile appeared on her face when he asked her to read his cup. "Sure." She took his cup. "I am sure it will be fine." She assured him as she looked at his cup. "I see a ladder which could mean a promotion is heading your way. There," She pointed, showing him. "Are triangles which mean unexpected good fortune. And a see a dragon which means sudden change." She placed his cup down and smiled at him. "Not so bad?" She hoped he was ok with her reading even though she knew he did it to make her happy.
Post by NATHANIEL ZIMMER on Nov 9, 2022 21:41:08 GMT
"She does not have much choice. I'm the only child that she has." An observation said with humility but also a twinge of sadness. His mom probably would have loved to have more children, if his father hadn't left her to fend for herself and take care of one sweet little boy all alone. Not his fault but a part of him, a big part of him, wished that he could change things for her. She deserved only the best. Like Sally did. The two were far too sweet and smart for their own good.
"No. Not wrong. Just..." He decided to choose his words carefully here. "Misguided in the pursuit of being ultimately correct." He finished with the hint of a smile tugging at his lips, aimed in her direction. Even he was impressed with the workmanship on that sentence. Hopefully she would be too. Nathaniel always worried about what everyone thought but with Sally it was that tenfold. He knew it shouldn't be... But it was what it was. A little voice in the back of his head constantly warned that he mind himself and kind hearted Nathaniel always obeyed that is until they looked into each other's eyes for a hair too long.
Her eyes were so lovely, so giving, so genuine. If you didn't know Sally Byrne at all, if she hadn't spoken a word (unlike her), then all one needed to do was to gaze into her benevolent eyes and you were given all that you needed to know about the young woman. They broke their locked gaze at the same time and both found things on the table 'more interesting' to look at. Nathaniel cleared his throat nervously despite his best efforts not to. She didn't turn away initially he noted hopefully but instantly reminded himself that it was a false hope. Of what... He didn't dare officially put into words.
"It needs a great deal of help it would seem." He found himself saying quietly, catching his error and hazel eyes looked back up at their intended target. "That is, to say, oh..." He didn't know what to say. One look at her looking so curious, so confused, so worried and well... he was at a loss. All he wanted was to make her feel better. "About that cup..." He redirected her attention reaching out to lightly tap the tea cup he had put in front of her. "Go on..." Sometimes it was like encouraging a student and others it was just begging to hear her voice more.
Leaning forward a bit to look at the contents of the cup as she spoke a solemn expression took over his mug. Unlike others he thought Divination to be valid and the news, while promising to some, was concerning to him. "I am not up for a promotion." He told her quietly, eyes looking at her seriously. What was to come? While others might see it as good Nathaniel had a sinking feeling. In spite of this, seeing her fading smile at his own worry he plastered on a small one of his own. "Yes. I'm sure it is." He wasn't.
