Off to the Races [Severus]

[Deleted]

March 21, 2026
@severus

Emma hated losing. But she especially hated when it was due to no fault of her own. Today had been a big race for her. It was her third since moving to the UK, but her first competing with the Granian named Espuela, ironic considering her nationality. The mare in general had proven to be a tricky one. She didn't necessarily misbehave but she was easily spooked and very skittish. The Granian was clearly new to the racing scene, and that had been the downfall of the race. Emma had warned the trainer that Espuela wasn't ready for a race this size but they insisted. And thus, the days events were set in stone. Even before the race began Emma could feel the winged horse's fear. The restless stomping, nervously moving in the stable, pulling away when they tried to saddle her... It didn't get any better. The start of the race wasn't.. bad. The horse followed Emma's commands in the air. Making good time. But then another jockey and Granian flew too close... and the horse's nerves sky rocketed. Emma had been very lucky she wasn't thrown off, but it'd been very close. IT was only from years of riding experience that kept her on the winged horse's back as it panicked in the air....

Two hours later, and Emma let out a depressed sigh as she sat down at the restaurant bar connected to the race track. It was time to wallow in her defeat. Knowing that she'd been 100% right about the horse not being ready to race but no one listening to her. At her old stable this hadn't been too much of a problem. The trainer and owner had come to trust her judgement when situations like this arose. This new stable though? They seemed to think that she didn't know what she was talking about, acting as if they knew better and she was some green jockey. She wasn't green. She had years of experience! She could only hope that today's events would show the trainer that he should listen to her. After all, she was the one on the horse's back. If something went wrong she was the one risking her neck, not him. 

Emma shook her head, brushing her hair off her shoulders. She'd changed out of her jockey uniform and into a nice black cocktail dress, letting her hair hang down her back. A little more suitable for presence company. The bartender finally approached her, asking what she'd like. She ordered a glass of Wormwood wine, one of the few alcoholic drinks she could drink because they used natural sugar instead of artificial. The bartender had just set the glass in front of her, and she'd reached for it when she realized that someone had come to sit at the bar beside her.

[Deleted]

There was always something so thrilling to watch the winged horses race, to see if you'd picked a winner or not, but more important than the horses themselves was the chance to relish in the social aspect of the races. All the ladies in their pretty dresses, the men in their dashing suits. Conversation flowing nicely, lubricated with an appropriate level of intoxication and a common topic for everyone to discuss should you get stuck - the horses. Severus was no skilled gambler, yet he'd pocketed more galleon than he'd come with on this particular day. He was thankful that he hadn't bet on the new Granian in the mix, which he'd later discover was ridden by a very attractive young lady next to whom he'd sit shortly. When it had panicked in the air everyone, including himself, had paused in anticipation. Would she fall?

The small group of acquaintances that Severus had been enjoying the company of slowly dissipated after the races were over and the gentleman found himself strolling casually over to the bar to wet his lips once more before home time. He put his empty glass on the bar and once the bartender had finished with Emma's order, Severus was his next port-of-call. He didn't even need to tell the bartender what drink - he'd been there for a couple of hours by now and it appeared that the order was ingrained in their head. Firewhiskey double. Or perhaps he should only have a single so that he could apparate home soon ... Severus' attention was caught by Emma though and he decided that double was absolutely fine.

"Good evening," Severus began as he took a seat beside the young lady. He wasn't aware that she was a jockey, mostly owing to the fact that she was not currently sitting in her silks, so instead he had to start with all that lovely small talk bizzo. "I hope you did better than me on the horses," he began with a small smile. "Did you see the drama in the air? The rider was so lucky that they didn't fall off!"

@emma

[Deleted]

March 21, 2026
@severus

Oh. Oh my. Emma had just raised her glass to her lips when she heard a voice next to her, a man taking the spot and directly a greeting to her. She stilled, her gaze flickering to the man and freezing on him. And... and he was talking to her. She lowered the glass just a little. "Oh.... hello," He was handsome. Very handsome, though a complete stranger. She was sure she'd never seen him before. But that wasn't too surprising, since she'd only race a few times in the UK since joining the new stable. Not that she minded some handsome company..

At the mention of "doing better on the horses" she realized that he must have been a patron today, watching and betting on the races. It was exceptionally popular to gamble when it came to horse races, magical or not. He didn't look totally down on his luck though, so he must not have lost everything. She smiled her usual small smile. "No, I do not think I did," she answered truthfully. She'd lost the race after all. Then, as he mentioned her own almost accident in the sky she blushed just a little and took a sip from her wine glass. Normally she was very proud of her work, but for some reason she didn't want to admit she'd been the rider that had almost fallen off. "Yes... Very lucky. It seemed like the Granian was not ready to be competing in a big race." No definitely wouldn't be admitting she was the jocky, as she didn't want this handsome man to think less of her on a first encounter. "I hope you did not lose too much money on it."

[Deleted]

When Severus' new companion turned her gaze upon him, his pearly whites flashed in his most comely smile. The young lady was certainly beautiful and when she spoke, her words came with just a little more than a hint at an accent. How utterly delightful, the Englishman thought as he lifted his fire whiskey to his lips to drain some of its liquid. When she smiled at him, Severus could not help his eyes lingering on the movement of her sumptuous lips and he briefly wondered if he'd taste the wine she drank if he were to bring them to his own.

Merlin, what had she replied with? Had she had better luck on the flying ponies than he? "Better luck next time, hmm?" he quipped, his best side smile hopefully charming enough to cover the fact that he had not been specific as to whom the luck should go to - her or him. This is how one hedges ones bets, ladies and gentlemen!

"You're right! That poor rider could have been in serious danger - they held on like true champions though, don't you think? I can pick a winner amongst the flying ponies but I'd have been thrown for sure if I were them," Severus enthused. It was one of the highlights of the races and definitely caused enough drama for the corporate friends Severus had attended with to have dropped their conversations simultaneously to watch.

"A new granian to the races? Hmmmm no, I learned my betting from my Pa who was never much of a risk taker. He always came home with enough money for another day at the races, so if I follow his lead then I'll never become rich but I'll always have a good time," Severus explained with a genuine fondness evident in his voice. He placed his empty fire whiskey glass on the bar and the barkeep came over to refill. "Would you like another drink... ? I am sorry, I am so rude and forgot to introduce myself. I am Severus."

@emma