Nothing Like Us ** (LIONA)

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open!
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Just another weekend in Hogsmeade. Samuel thankfully tended to have most weekends off as he offered to work as much as possible during the week, but he was usually also available if need be on weekends or over nights. He enjoyed his job, even if he had to keep silent about it. But he supposed that was the point. Samuel wasn't a liar, so having a job that forced him to keep quiet made things a lot more easier when being questioned about what he does. That day, he hadn't received any notice saying he had to come in, so off to his favorite little village he went.

Samuel ended up in Madame Puddifoots. He got a hot tea with a strawberry danish. Sitting at a small table closest to the window he did a bit of people gazing. Not too obviously as he didn't want it to look like he was staring. Mostly as they walked away from him. He had a few things on his mind, but nothing that he couldn't deal with later on. At the moment, he was just happy with eating his food.

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Lina wanted today to be a quiet day. She'd finally decided on what she wanted to do with her life. She'd successfully talked it out with her cousin, who thought it was a great idea. Now all that was left was to implement the plan. She wanted to celebrate this small victory. So on this lovely Saturday, she decided to go into Hogsmeade. It was one of the weekends and it wasn't too cold outside today, not that she planned on spending much time outside anyway. She'd head to Madame Puddifoot's. It was a nice enough little cafe that sold sweet treats and good enough tea. It was the best she was going to find without having to send for it so she'd settle.

She walked into the cafe, all smiles as she greeted some of the other patrons in the line. No better time to charm people like the present. They'd smile back happily and strike up conversation about the weather. She didn't care for it but she didn't let them know. When she reached the counter she ordered hot tea and a treacle tart, smiling and complimenting the cashier. She noticed, when she turned around to find a seat, that there was someone sitting at the tabled by the window and instead made her way to the next empty table over. It wasn't in front of the window but she was still able to bath in the limited light from it. Then she noticed him, the guy sitting at the table. Everything about him stood out. He was odd. She was curious. No. She'd said a quiet day so that is what she would have. Plus, she'd just interacted with a bunch of strangers and that definitely had to fill some quota, right? In spite of her thoughts, she was still very aware of the strange fellow that sat at the table in front of her.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here

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@lionaanna
<3

Samuel grabbed the tin of whipped cream on the counter and sprayed it on his danish. Smiling, he nodded to the waitress and walked back over to his table, sitting down. The bell above the door rang a few times, but Samuel kept his eyes on the window. Anyone who walked in was out of sight, out of mind. After about twenty minutes, he looked down and picked up his fork, finishing off the danish. He picked up his cup of tea and took a swig, glancing back out to the little shop.

What first caught his eye, was that it had filled up quickly. There must have been a full room right now! And then the next, was the girl sitting directly across from him. She seemed to be staring, but Samuel wasn't sure if it was at him or something else. However, it was probably him. It wasn't every day you saw a tall, slender, Ministry dressed man with dreadlocks. He rose an eyebrow, but nodded at her with a small smile. Samuel turned his eyes away however, glancing to see what other desserts they may have. If she had something to say to him, he assumed she would.

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She's been trying to concentrate on enjoying her tart, taking occasional bites and sips of her tea. She'd, unfortunately, still taking casual looks at the guy sitting in the table in front of her. She couldn't help it. He looked weird, she couldn't deny it. He was dressed in a suit of some sort. Nice looking suit too. But his hair.... Maybe he worked for the Ministry? If so, what was he doing out in Hogsmeade? It was a small village and she was certain that he could find.... what was that he was eating? A danish. He could find a better shop away from there that had better danishes.

She took another sip of her tea and took the final bite of her tart before she found herself looking up at him again. Oh.. Darn. She watched as he raised an eyebrow at her before nodding. She tore her eyes away cleverly disguised as he finishing off her tea. She quickly stood and went back up to the counter to get a refill. Now she was going to have to say something to him. Anything. A Greeting? Small talk? She wasn't sure just yet but she didn't want to look like she didn't have any manners. Being caught staring at someone was incredibly rude and now she was going to have to either give an excuse, play it off as if she was looking past him, or glaze over it. She smiled at the cashier once again in thanks before she took a deep breath and turned around towards her table, tea in hand. Instead of walking back towards her table, however, she approached his, the odd gentleman's. "Would you mind terribly if I joined you?" She wasn't standing directly beside him but by the chair on the other side of his table. Up close, she saw that he didn't look to much older than her. He wasn't old, luckily. Maybe this would be less awkward and she could make quick conversation, apologize, then be on her way.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here

[Deleted]

@lionaanna
<3

Being stared at was something that had become the norm for Samuel. It wasn't anything unusual, especially from the younger generation. Some of the children that came here were basically ten years younger than he, which was too weird to think about so he mentally shook his head. But this girl...she looked about the same age as Maria. She was definitely a student, and he unconsciously wondered if they were all seductive flirts like Maria. Goodness, he hoped not. The boys there would have quite the issue then.

Samuel's questions would soon be answered, as the girl went to the counter, and then walked back to his table instead of her prior one. Samuel glanced up at her, eyebrows raised. Did he want another repeat of Maria? No, not really. Though this girl already proved it wouldn't be. She asked politely if she could join, instead of shoving herself in front of him and telling him to pretend. That memory brought a smile to his lips, and he nodded at the girl, gesturing to the seat in front of him. "Of course not, go right ahead."

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Even up close he still looked odd. She was sure other people found him intimidating. The hair.. It all seemed as if he wanted to keep people away. Which was fine, if that was your thing. The suit was the only thing that was out of place. Which she guessed meant he was possibly on a job of some sort. Maybe this really would be a short conversation. She hoped anyway. She'd talk for a bit, he'd excuse himself, and then she could finish her tea and her quiet day in peace.

She waited until he nodded at the seat across from him, inviting her to sit. She set her tea down gingerly before pulling the chair out and taking a seat. Eye contact and a smile. And then she opened up her mouth to speak. To apologize for staring. Or to give some excuse to why it may seemed as if she was staring at him. "How long have you had your hair in such a style?" That is what came out instead. It wasn't rude, per say. She didn't feel it was personal either because his hair was where all could see. He must have gotten questions like that often anyway so what was one more? It wasn't, however, something you should ask right away. Her curiosity got the better of her. Normally, she would introduce herself and ask other things about the person, like how their day had been or what had brought them there. It was rather curious though, his hair. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen others with dreadlocks either. She was just curious as to why he'd chosen the style.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here

[Deleted]

@lionaanna
<3

Samuel wasn't sure why the girl wanted to sit with him. But he expected quite the conversation with her. As she finally sat down in front of him, he sat back slightly and lifted his tea cup to his lips, drinking some more. The girls question brought a smile to his face after he set the tea back down. Samuel chuckled quietly and bit his lip, thinking for a moment. "It's been so long I can't really remember. It took awhile to grow it out of course." His hair was so long that it had grown down to his waist. While Samuel had considered cutting it before, many people had told him he looked better with it.

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When he smiled, she tilted her head to the side curiously, studying his reactions though trying not being obvious about it. Well, trying as hard as she could while sitting directly in front of him with his attention focused on her in some fashion. She took a sip of her tea when he chuckled and answered her, stating that he couldn't remember. Of course they took a while to grow. his were long but of course she'd seen longer. They looked really heavy. Fully matted. "What made you choose that style? she asked as she placed her cup of tea down again. He had to work for the Ministry right? She wondered what department, if he did.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here

[Deleted]

@lionaanna
<3

The girl sipped her tea and he contemplated her question. "If you want my honest answer, I have no idea." Samuel hated liars. It was one thing he could not stand or deal with. So when he was asked questions like this, he answered in the only way he knew how. It wasn't that he had gone along and looked for a particular hairstyle, it had just appeared one day, or he had seen someone else with them and thought, well hey, I'll do that. "I'm Samuel, by the way. Realized I hadn't introduced myself to you..." He let a pause run, giving her time to give him her name.

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Her head remained tilted at his curious answer. What an odd answer. It wasn't like the hairstyle just appeared on his head, he had to do some kind of upkeep on it.... she eyed his hair once again noticing how messy and tangled it looked. Maybe not. She'd definitely seen much neater looking dreadlocks than his. When he spoke, saying that he'd forgotten to introduce himself, she realized then that she had done the same. "I do apologize. It seems I've forgotten my manners and done the same. It's nice to meet you Samuel, I'm Liona," she gave a soft smile to hide her annoyance with herself for forgetting her manners. This was a potential to make a new Ministry contact for herself instead of relying on her father. Maybe. If this guy really did work for the Ministry. She wouldn't be able to do that if she was being rude. "So since you've had that hairstyle for a while for a reason unknown to you, have you ever thought about changing it to something that you actually do want?" Even a short simple hairstyle would give him a different air.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here

[Deleted]

@lionaanna
<3

"No need to apologize! Things happen." Samuel had done the same, so he wasn't one to put any blame on either person. This girl seemed to have a few questions for him, which he'd definitely be open to answering. But he was not sure why she had so many questions. "It's nice to meet you as well, Liona." Samuel smiled back genuinely, and ended up laughing at her next comment. Maybe it was his hair that had drawn her in. "I have yes, especially recently. I've been thinking of cutting them all off and going short. Though I've heard from quite a few people that they think the dreads suit me and I'd look unusual with it cut." Samuel shrugged. Either way he didn't care, if he looked nice or not.

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His smile was bright and genuine and it made her smile a bit brighter as well. Just from his greeting and the fact that he didn't originally shoo her away, he didn't seem like he had a superiority complex nor stuffy and serious, which was nice she had to admit. Apparently he had thought about changing his hairstyle recently, so he said. She was more obvious in her scrutiny of him for just a moment, studying his facial shape. She wasn't sure who he got hair advice from but he should't listen to it. "I'm not sure what they meant. I think a short haircut would suit you just fine. But I guess that is just my opinion compared to the many that have given you one," she advised with a shrug. "So what do you do, occupation wise? I assume that's why you're here since you're dressed in such a way," she smiled as she took a sip of her tea.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here

[Deleted]

@lionaanna
<3

The girl's smile was beautiful, and he found himself enjoying her company. The last time he had been interrupted by a Hogwarts student, ended up in almost being set on fire and a large argument. And through all of that, he still ended up with a friendship. An unusual one at that, but one that had become important to him. Samuel laughed as she said he'd look good with a short haircut, and he shrugged as well. "Well, we'll never know until it happens I suppose. Maybe it will get cut off, closer to the summer though." Liona sipped her tea and asked about his career and Samuel sat up, smiling more gently. "Yes, you are correct. I work in the Ministry; the Department of Mysteries to be exact."

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She was slightly amused at his words, taking another sip of her cooled tea and sittiing it down with the grace instilled in her over the years. "It's not like there is only one short hair cut out there. You just have to make sure to find one that you like," she said. She thought most things would be better than the style he had now anyway. He didn't seem to have any particular attachment to the hairstyle either because he'd so willingly thought about cutting it off. Most of the people she'd known with the style were always apprehensive to cut it off because they were so attached to it. It took a bit of will to keep a straight face when he commented that he worked for the DOM. She just raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? You say that so casually. I thought members of that Department of Mysteries were not allowed to say they worked there?" she gae a small smile. As a matter of fact, she knew for certain that was a rule there. So either he was lying, or he didn't care for the rules. She couldn't quite tell which it was and she wasn't sure how she should feel about either.

Tag; @jill7
OOTD; Here