Winning Trust [TAG: FINNEAS]

[BEATRIX KIDDO]

"It'll be okay..." Beatrix soothed the tiny, scrappy looking dog with a soft voice and her usual sweet as can be demeanor. Sure she had been knocked around by life which gut punched a lot of her spunk out of her but that didn't mean her kind and gentle heart disappeared. If anything it just ached more, longed more, yearned more.

She had either lost everyone that she cared for or separated herself from everyone that she knew. Her father died and she was family-less. Lincoln had disappeared after she had first. He had been so upset with her. Then he had turned cold. Angry. He once had a heart of gold and now... he was apparently a bad guy in the magical world. He had hurt others. She couldn't believe it. If her illness wasn't killing her this knowledge certainly sped up the process. No more Lincoln meant no more Ava, or Allen, or Krys (who had also lost Allen - what was with those once big hearted Watt's boys?!) and had her own immense hurt to deal with. She also had left her sous chef restaurant gig and moved to a city where she didn't know anyone to be closer to a hospital more equip to handle what she had. Whatever it was.

It was difficult to find things to look forward to but frequent visits to the local animal shelter had been one. One bright spot. She couldn't help herself but she could help other creatures and so, free of charge and unprompted, she poured herself into it. The mixed breed small, dirty dog had been hiding for days but Beatrix was patient. She sat for hours on the cold hard, smelly floor just talking to him. She would read aloud or even just sit in quiet. Patients was the name of the game and it was a strategy that finally paid off when the brown, grey, and white dog came out from under the bench and stood in front of her.

Beatrix smiled a little. It was hard not to get too excited and shriek in her excitement but she kept it at bay. And then it happened. The little guy, temporarily named by the shelter as Murray, climbed into her lap and laid down. She looked down at the four year old mutt amazed and ecstatic, whispering softly. "Hi there Murray..." Nervous but unable to resist her skinny fingers lightly scratched the mix breed behind the ears. "Good boy." He sighed on her lap. "See? That's not so scary is it?"

TAG: FINNEAS DARWIN

[FINNEAS DARWIN]

Overdressed was probably the word that would most aptly describe Finneas right now. But, he also tended to magically avoid the worst stains and could get away with being in a button up and tie even while working with animals. Which was exactly as he had done, as per usual - even if his coworkers at the muggle shelter tended to look at his spotless self funny. It probably had nothing to do with the one time he'd shown up with his traditional wizard's hat on. Probably.

Today he was here at the shelter for a bit of a transfer of the loose crups that had fallen into their grasp, and to just help out. Magical critters weren't that different from muggle. If anything they were easier to take care of. He'd been in much more lately, just to help out. It was easier to keep the magical shelter empty than the muggle one. Most magical critters got reclaimed or adopted pretty quickly. The same couldn't be said for the breadth of animals that inhabited the muggle world, as sad as that was. Still, it wouldn't be well received if they took in muggle dogs and cats so they had to settle for facilitating rescues in the muggle world when they had the spare time.

Finneas was cleaning out a kennel in the next row when he heard a soft voice, speaking with one of their more recent residents. Finishing up what he was doing he gave the dog in the kennel a final pat and wandered over, both curious and eager if he could facilitate an adoption.

He approached quietly, not wanting to disturb the pair, "Hello there," he commented, hoping not to startle the pair too badly and not wanting to scare Murray who looked content with her. A significant development. "I see you've met Murray there." He'd seen her here before, talking to him but hadn't wanted to disturb. This time his curiosity had gotten the better of him. "He's a good boy, if a bit on the shy side." That was an understatement, but he'd also never tried to snap at Finneas when he'd cleaned his kennel or plied him with treats.

"I'd be happy to help you, if you're looking to adopt … or not, either way." Finneas gave a lopsided grin, shrugging awkwardly. "Finneas Darwin, at your service."

[BEATRIX KIDDO]

Beatrix looked up at the quiet voice, not startled at all (honestly she was too tired from the year's events to be). "Hello." Normally she was the one to rush up all bubbly hugging a complete stranger and asking them for their whole life story but her own life had her kicked down - quite a bit. Smiles were harder to come by and her desire to connect was still there but occasionally faltered. She wasn't in a good way and she wasn't sure quite how to get out of it. Murray helped though. But that was today and she could only take it day by day.

"Yes." She scratched Murray behind the ears who snuggled into her leg as he sat in her lap. "He's a sweet boy." She agreed, looking down at the mutt. "He's just scared. He's in a brand new place where he doesn't know anyone and it's cold, and loud, and lonely." Like a hospital. Perhaps she could relate to Murray better than she thought. "I hope he finds a good home soon." She spoke her sincere wish into existence, not one to play many things close to the chest.

"Oh. I am not here to adopt." Finneas' comment had her looking up quickly. Oh dear. Had her response sounded cold? She was worried now. Murray, as if sensing it, lifted his head to look up at her while she continued looking at Finneas. "Not that I wouldn't love to. I would, love to, I just... I only just moved here a few months ago and I'm not quite settled and I don't even know how long I'll be here." Or alive. "And my schedule right now doesn't really allow for a dog as much as I would like the company so I just come here... a lot actually. Is that okay?" She waited for his answer nervously. If he said no the last bit of her very loving and sweet heart would shatter and she would have nothing.

"Beatrix. Beatrix Kiddo. It's nice to meet you Finneas." She offered genuinely still seated on the floor not wanting to disturb Murray who was once again resting in her lap. Pursing her lips together she tilted her head, not at all subtle in the way that she studied the man. "I'm so sorry Mister Darwin but you look incredibly familiar. Have we met before?"

[FINNEAS DARWIN]

Watching as Murray snuggled further into her lap and sighed, it was hard not to get attached, especially when things could be so hard on the dogs in the shelter. "Cold, loud, and lonely." He paused briefly, "Not somewhere I'd want to be either." They tried their best to keep the dogs comfortable but there was only so much to go around. Only so much to do when they all went home at night and the animals stayed here. Come to think of it though, Murray's kennel wasn't as outfitted as it could be, for all that they were able to do. "I might just have something to help with at least one of those problems."

Walking suddenly away down the hall of kennels and around a corner Finneas plucked two blankets from one of the bins, toting them back to Beatrix and Murray. "This just might help a bit." It wasn't much, but it was something.

Finneas couldn't help but enthusiastically bob his head at her next comment, "That's all we ever want for any of them, really. A nice home, a warm couch to call their own and a loving family." It wasn't a whole lot but it was hard to come by sometimes. Personally, he'd had his favorites over the months like Murray but there was only so much even he could do with his resources.

"Ah, well that's no problem. Plenty of people come to browse or just meet the animals." It wasn't out of the ordinary at all. Though, he did wish more adopters came through anything to help get the word out. "Ah, I see that would be a bit of a problem." Suddenly moving to an apartment or somewhere else that didn't allow pets would only lead to a sticky situation for Murray. "I come here a lot too for, ah, different reasons. There's no problem with visiting, though."

"Though, if you do have the time maybe you could consider short term fostering? It's not as much of a commitment and we supply everything you might need." The hard sell, not that he was trying to pressure her into anything. He'd rather not do that, "Sometimes it's just nice to test how dogs do in homes before they're adopted, if you have the time and space of course. No pressure." It totally felt like he was pressuring her, the woman already said no, Finneas.

"Ah, Beatrix, it's nice to meet you as well." Beatrix Kiddo. That rang a bell. He'd definitely heard that name before, and come to think of it her face was rather familiar as well. He watched Murray, relaxing in her lap as he rolled the thought over and over in his mind, trying to place it. At her concurrence with their shared familiarity the bell finally rang for him, if faintly. "I don't believe so, however we may have a common friend." He used that term lightly, he hadn't seen Lincoln since Hogwarts really and certainly was keeping up with his exploits of late. "One Lincoln Watts, if you recognize the name." Finneas finally said, studying her face as he did so.

[BEATRIX KIDDO]

She raised a brow curiously at Finneas' offer as the man disappeared then returned with two blankets. She notably perked up a bit, happy to have them and took each of them before bundling them around Murray like he was a little nun or babushka. "Thank you." The dog happily accepted, tilting its head curiously before snuggling back into the warmth like it was a little nest. A safe haven right in Beatrix's lap. "He likes it!" Beatrix's toothy smile grew a throwback to what she once was before all of the awful things of late had happened. 

"I think that's all that any of us want. A home is important." She genuinely believed that even if she technically didn't have one. Sure she had a place to rest her head, a very small questionable abode, but she had no family anymore. She didn't have Lincoln. No friends in the area. She was just as alone as the pupperz in her lap.

"Fostering?" The notion had never crossed her mind as she had been far too busy telling herself no and that she couldn't have good things. Her current state of her life was a punishment. She was sure of it. But finally, a small bright spot. "Do you think that would be okay?" She was hesitant to ask only because she tended to fall hard and fast. Bringing Murray home would only get her hopes up and worsen the wound that she and Lincoln had caused. Speaking of...

"Yes. I know that name." She responded solemnly looking down at Murray in her lap gently petting him not just for his comfort but for her own. "We were best friends." The words felt weird in her mouth but she pushed through. "Since we were little. We, um... Dated for a bit but... that's over now..." She couldn't even look at Finneas as she gave him the bullet points. It hurt too much. "I haven't seen him for almost a year actually he, um, I'm told he got into a fair bit of trouble. I am certain that it's a misunderstanding though." At this, she looked up clearly very unsure but needing to believe in something. Lincoln had hurt, perhaps even killed others, how many of these instances could possibly be accidents? "How do you know Linky, er, Lincoln? Work?" She knew that she shouldn't have asked because it would only end up hurting her but, as usual, she couldn't resist.

[FINNEAS DARWIN]

"You're welcome!" Finneas replied easily, grinning and watching as she bundled Murray up like a little babushka, absolutely adorable! Add in the fact that he was comfortable enough to snuggle right back down in her lap, another win! Maybe she was just a miracle worker for the little anxious dog. "It seems that he does!" There was patently nothing better than a happy dog, that was just a fact. The sun set in the west, the river flowed, and happy dogs were magic. "Do you mind if I take a picture for the website?" He began fishing around in his pocket for the camera, it was the first time he'd been allowed to really use it since he'd had to replace the first one they tried with. They just didn't work like magical cameras.

"A home is important." He concurred with a nod, his was … interesting, but they had each other's backs when it came to it. He didn't know what he'd do without his family. "I'd like to find homes for all of them, if I can." A view he shared with many other people he was sure. He couldn't take them all home with him, after all. He was rather limited, living in his apartment away from his parents in their estate house.

"Yes, fostering." Finneas repeated eagerly, happy to have landed some interest there. "I think it'd be okay. In fact, I think it might be perfect for your situation!" He added, a broad grin spreading across his face. He turned and glanced at the paperwork on Murray's kennel door and nodded as he read it over, "Looks like he's all up to date with the vet's, and he's potty trained so there's that. You might have to use a crate if you go away but it shouldn't be hard to get him used to that." Finneas repeated, just as eagerly as he glanced away from the paper to meet her gaze, "You could take him to foster as soon as today after some paperwork!" They tried to make it as easy as possible for their fosters, of course.

Finneas blinked, a bit taken aback by her solemn tone but, given Lincoln's recent exploits it wasn't as surprising. "Oh." Best friends? Yeah, he'd imagine that'd make it hurt more. And dating. "I know him from school. We went to school together." Never would he have expected this from the kid that Finneas had known back then but then, he wasn't great at seeing the future. "We hadn't talked or anything in forever, but the news was a shock." And seeing all of the pictures in the Prophet. "I'm not so sure it's a misunderstanding though, I've seen the pictures in the newspaper, and the reels." Finneas wasn't as optimistic as he wanted to be.

[BEATRIX KIDDO]

"You have a nice smile." The chef hopeful readily complimented him. She had always been free-wheeling and dealing with them. She liked telling people nice things especially about themselves. She enjoyed brightening people's days and even though lately it was rare with her current mood it was nice to do it even now with this new friend. "It's very charming and kind." She went on, breaking her gaze and looking back down at Murray to play with his floppy, hairy ears. "Everyone probably loves you here. Dogs and people. Nice auras go a long way." She believed in that sort of thing even if Lincoln didn't. Magical people probably knew of such things, hoax or true, but for some reason Beatrix was certain he had been wrong about this. Auras were real!

"A picture?" She looked up at him again a bit worried but also surprised. "Of me?" She frowned a bit. "If it'll help him find a home sure but maybe just a closeup of him?" Beatrix certainly wasn't unfortunate looking but she never had a high opinion of her appearance (everyone else yes! she thought everyone was a supermodel). Being sick and sad all of the time only added to that low opinion.

"I don't know how you do it. If I could and I spent so much time here I would go home with about seventy dogs and sixty cats." Not very far from the truth. Beatrix had a motherly instinct even though her own had passed many years ago. She just liked taking care of people. She used to do it often. Now she was lucky if she remembered to have breakfast in the morning. "But today I'll just take home one." She looked up, smile brightening. "Just for a little while." Yeah, right. Keep telling yourself that.

"Oh..." He hadn't meant to break her heart, it was true wasn't it she was just in denial, but further confirmation of Lincoln's exploits crushed her too big heart. "His sister Ava told me but... I didn't know it was in the paper... What paper?" The question squeaked out of her, nervous to even ask. "I'm not from that world. Linky never let me go. Just once. He said it was too dangerous but now I suppose he's the dangerous one." She didn't like saying that. Not one bit. It made her sick...er. 

"So you went to Hogwarts?" The rough tumble of her tummy inspired her to try and speak of happier things. Sometimes it was easier to pretend that the last year hadn't happened. That everything was still okay. "What class were you? I mean, uh, what house? They called them houses right? Linky was the bird one. Raven something. He said he thought I would be too but I think he just said that because he wanted to keep an eye on me. Ava and his brother Allen said I would probably be the puff one. The yellow one?" Truth was Lincoln probably talked about Beatrix a lot. Obnoxiously so. Most of his classmates probably thought she was made up because they never saw her. "I am so incredibly jealous that you go to go. I only ever went to public school." 

[FINNEAS DARWIN]

"Oh ah, thank you." Not the turn of conversation that Finneas had been expecting exactly but very much welcome. He had a nice smile, huh. "Yours is rather nice too, kind. It's kind." Smooth Mr. Darwin. Smooth. He glanced down awkwardly, eyes focussing on Murray as the dog leaned into the woman's hand for more scratches. And she had a way with animals, which was a bonus. If an animal wouldn't trust you Finneas was going to inevitably follow their lead. Eyes weren't the only window to the soul, dogs could see right through you and properly judge you good or evil. Finneas scratched at his head, blushing, "I'm not sure everyone was me but I'd like to think they don't dislike me either." Pretty humble if you asked him though, "Auras huh, I haven't heard of them before are they some kind of … people thing?" Nice catch, genius.

"Yes, a picture." He replied easily, watching the scene before him and thinking of just how much personable pictures of the animals helped. "A close up is plenty." He chuckled awkwardly, finally pulling the camera from his pocket, "I'm not that great at using these things so please bear with me. Very tricky, high tech." It was an average digital camera but those just didn't function the same as the magical one that he had at home. Steadying the camera and carefully zooming in he snapped the picture.

"There, all done!" And it even looked good! Surprising, given his experience and the fact that his thumb wasn't even in the way. "Would you like to see?"

"Ah, well, I manage somehow. Don't have the space to keep all of them in my flat and cramming them all in just wouldn't be fair." Ever reasonable, no matter what he may actually want. What he wanted didn't matter compared to their wellbeing. He wouldn't selfishly put their lives at risk or anything of the sort. Of course, that didn't mean that he didn't want a larger house with room for more of course. "I'm sure he'll love your home." Finneas replied with a grin, quite pleased that he'd managed to set all of this up. Didn't usually go that well, did it?

"Um, ah, just some paper." But then she was saying that she wasn't a part of *that world* and that meant something. They didn't just have a shared acquaintance Lincoln had actually told her about the magical world. She KNEW. Oh geez, he tugged at his collar nervously, glancing away. He really hoped that they didn't blame him for this. "Uhm, just the Daily Prophet." His voice quieted when he said that, glancing around a bit nervously, "It's the biggest newspaper, carries all the news for the most part." But he wasn't going to get into all of the issues with the Prophet right now. He didn't expect that she would understand completely either, not that he disliked muggles just that it required a decent understanding of the magical world.

"Uh, ah, yes, I did go there." He finally admitted after hemming and hawing a bit, it wasn't like the cat was still in the bag, was it? "Oh, yes, I was a Hufflepuff. The yellow one, as you said." He paused for a moment before speaking, "Lincoln and I were yearmates, way back then." They hadn't been close but he had still heard plenty about Beatrix between classes and during class, of course. "I didn't particularly have another option, all my family went there for, well, generations. So." He couldn't imagine muggle public school though, he wasn't even sure what that was. "What was that like?" He asked eagerly.

[BEATRIX KIDDO]

Her smile was kind? She had been told that before. Or that she had a nice smile or the occasional 'you're pretty'. Not that she believed it. She believed in the best of others but never in herself. "I try to be..." Being kind to others was important to her. Lately she felt like she was failing at it (far from it) in light of what had happened to Lincoln Watts because of her own choices. Choices that had been meant to protect him. They had done anything but. She had hurt him and, accidentally, others.

Her smile grew a bit as he fumbled his question. "They're an everybody thing. Everyone has auras. People, witches, wizards, animals..." She glanced back down at Murray petting the top of his head. The dog rested his chin on her knee and closed his eyes with a little sigh that made his whole body lift then lower. He was definitely quite cozy wrapped up in the blanket like a burrito. "You can always tell right away if someone is good or bad." Or at least she liked to think so. But she had been burned before.

"High tech?" She looked up, doing her best not to laugh. She knew he was telling the truth. His truth. It was so funny what magical beings got confused with. All of these things were so basic compared to the magic that they had at their disposal. "I can show you." She offered even though she knew that she should have kept her mouth shut. She didn't need any friends. She couldn't have any. She could be dead tomorrow. Also she didn't deserve them after what she had done (in her mind) to the best one she ever had. "My dad used to take tons of pictures. He showed me how." Frank had loved scrapbooking. He had loved a lot. The man had loved life.

"Oh wow..." As intrigued as Finneas or other magical beings might have been about muggle technology that was Bea with anything magic - even with something as basic as a newspaper. "You all are so lucky." She sighed looking down at the small dog in her lap. "I was always so jealous that he got to go to a school and learn magic. Cast spells. All I did was reading and writing. I hated math." She shrugged a bit. This poor guy probably found it all horribly boring. "I moved a lot so I went to a bunch of different schools until we settled. I had a lot of friends... lots of people that made fun of me too. Lots of both." She offered still trying to be cheery despite the sadness in her words. "I don't have many now though... after I moved again." And it definitely took some getting used to.