half the world away [toby]

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

When Amy had casually asked if Toby was a werewolf, she'd been thinking of those Twilight books. Jacob had been such a wimp. She had actually rolled her eyes several hundred times reading his shitty point of view in the last book. But he was always running warm, and Toby had reminded her of him for just a moment. A much nicer, less wimpy version of him, at least. "No shit?" she asked, her eyes wide. Amy scrambled for her meagre knowledge of werewolves, and came up basically blank. "Well, you seem okay to me. Wait, are you allergic to silver? That's fine, but we can't have you melting around a nice hunk of gold. I won't be able to ask for your help with experiments! she exclaimed nervously, biting her lip.

Amy knew little of how Europe's werewolves were treated in the past. To her, she didn't see any difference. Yeah, he turned into a dog once a month. Big deal, whatever. Actors turned into different characters, became different people and sometimes beings whilst filming. Sure, there was a level of choice there, but at the end of the day, it didn't make Toby any less human to her. He just had... an unfortunate day. Like a period or something. Amy knew she was super crabby when pmsing, so she couldn't really blame him. In fact, Toby's lycanthropy was such a non-essential part of him, she forgot about it the moment he invited her back to his flat.

Now, Amy was no stranger to these sorts of invitations. Though usually they came from leery older men when her father wasn't around and Amy had no desire to spend any further time with them. In this case, Amy was quite interested to see where Toby lived. It had to be a lot better than the cramped dorm room she'd been assigned with the paltry allowance she had brought over to Britain. Amy agreed readily, her nerves washing away as Toby stuttered over an explanation. "Don't worry. You don't seem like that kind of guy," said Amy, squeezing the hand she still held. There was a sensation of being squeezed through a tight tube, and they were gone.

Amy looked around Toby's flat and instantly felt at home. Maybe it was something about him that just sat right with her. She was lucky to have made such a decent friend so quickly. Amy ignored Toby's off key welcome, and nosed about the flat. It was only then that she let go of his hand so she could investigate more thoroughly. "It's very you," she observed, which was admittedly obvious. She turned back to Toby. "I want to hear your favourite record," she said, glancing between Toby and the collection. And jeez, it was quite the collection!

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby was relieved that she didn’t go too deeply into the werewolf thing. He hadn’t gotten his story down completely and had a way of shutting down. Instead, she asked if he was allergic to silver, stating how ”Yes, technically, I am allergic…but it’s more of a rash..if that makes sense. Just don’t stab me with a silver spear or anything.” he chuckled, surprising himself he was joking about it. ”Gold is fine. And I'm keen to help with any experiments.” he was unable to hide his nerdish glee. Maybe he’d even get the chance to see the legendary Professor Burke again. He missed her class and especially watching her banter with the other students.

Relief washed over him as she assured him he didn’t seem like "that" kind of guy. It was always nice to get some reassurance. Within moments they were transported to the cozy flat, welcomed by warmth of the fireplace. Toby felt nervousness start to kick in for having someone in his personal space but the way Amys face lit up with wonder eyeing a new place. She said she wanted to hear his favorite record and his head cocked to the side thoughtfully.

”Hm, I feel like it’s always changing..” he admitted. His eyes scanned the top shelf, longer fingers poking about a couple of covers and pulling the one out that he was looking for. "Ah, this is the one." he nodded, glad he'd outgrown The Beatles because frankly the love songs reminded him too much of Lusie. Toby placed the need on the record with a small scratch before the opening drums of Fire By Kasbian started to play.  His eyes fell on Amy to see if she was into it, because Brit rock was nothing like smooth jazz. Toby bobbed his head playfully as he mouthed the words, shimmying into Amy lightheartedly.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy was supremely unconcerned by the whole werewolf thing. In her mind, it didn't change Toby one bit. Was Toby a werewolf when she met him? Yes. Did it change fundamentally who he was? No. Did he turn into a dog once a month, and was forbidden from wearing tacky silver jewelry? Yes, but that was okay. He confirmed that gold was fine, and Amy sighed a breath of relief. "Good. Silver doesn't suit your skin tone anyways," said Amy with a smile, touching his nose lightly with the tip of her finger. She had half an urge to kiss him at that moment - but she refrained from that particular intrusive thought. They were having such a pleasant time! Curse her hormones for turning up at the exact wrong moment. Ugh, what a nightmare.

"Great, you can help me with my fundamental alchemical theory of turning other alkaline metals into gold," said Amy, clapping her hands together with excitement. "See, I want to find something that makes a stable bond, and thus a stable change. You can't have metals exploding when they come into contact with other elements. You know?" said Amy, tilting her head. Enquiring minds needed to know. Her metal of the moment, so to speak, was bismuth. She wondered if she'd mentioned it to Toby yet. It had the most incredible crystalline properties! And it was shiny.

The fireplace warmed Amy's frozen bones, and she immediately migrated towards it, sacrificing her near death grip on Toby's hand in lieu of the flames licking the brick chimney. There was something so comforting about the smell of a wood burner. In California, there was no need for a wood burning fireplace. It was electric, because they didn't need the heat. It was sweltering like, 9 times out of 10. So it was just for show. But this... this was the sort of vibe Amy had been searching for. She turned to Toby, beaming as she suggested he put on a favourite record of his own. "I feel like music is always changing, so your tastes have to go with it," Amy supplied, edging closer to the fireplace. She still had her cloak and Toby's sweatshirt on - and if he thought she was surrendering the latter, he was dead wrong.

Amy covered her mouth, and a subsequent snort as Toby shimmied towards her to the beat of the song. She'd never heard it before, but it had a catchy tune that she was totally digging. She bobbed her head along with Toby, feeling almost punch drunk as she weaved her shoulders back and forth. She took Toby's hand and spun him experimentally, giggling. "You're almost as bad a dancer as me!" she exclaimed with a laugh, mirth lighting her pale face. "Maybe we should take lessons. My mom always tried to make me learn, but I was so shit, I've got two left feet," said Amy, turning and nearly toppling into the fireplace. "See what I mean?" asked Amy, grabbing both of Toby's hands and pulling one at a time as they danced around one another, laughing. Free of any sort of feeling but joy. As the song wound to a close, Amy pulled Toby in for a hug, revolving on the spot, giggling into his shoulder.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Amy seemed to be a fan of Kasbian. Toby shook his head and bum exaggeratedly when she stated he was a bad dancer like her. ”Psh, speak for yourself. I’ve got the moooves...” he lied, freezing in place as he inflated his shoulders to pull a robotic B-Boy move with noodle arms. Not too bad…but not good either. Toby erupted with laughter from Amy’s own moves, which gave Toby the ultimate confidence to be a goof. Especially with the joy it seemed to bring her as they spun and bopped around the living room in complete bliss. Toby couldn’t remember the last time he laughed so hard, it was invigorating. His heart beat out of his chest from sheer excitement, grinnin from ear to ear.

As Amy pulled Toby in for an embrace, his arms fell to her sides to envelope her in a cuddle. His face buried in her hair as he familiarized himself with her scent. There was a moment in their embrace his stomach fluttered with the most intense warm and fuzzies, hit with the sudden urge to kiss her. Luckily, his inner alarms stopped him. They had met less than four hours ago in Zonkos! Amy was a beautiful girl with an undeniable spark about her. So, she probably had men make unwanted moves toward her all the time.. Toby wanted to respect her and prove he wasn't like other guys. It would be worrisome for him if some bloke tried to snog one of his sisters the first hours meeting them. Well...maybe not Claudia, she had always been known around school for her salacious ways...

Toby was content with holding her romantically, which was confusing enough for his innocent teenage heart to comprehend. He didn't pull away yet, enjoying the closeness and affection too much. After a moment of amicable silence, the song switched, ”You’re not a terrible dancer…" he paused "-but also not great.” he teased with a playful chuckle. "Have you had a chance to expieriment with Barium or Magnesium yet for your analysis?" he asked her as the idea popped in his head. His Ravenclaw heart was always focused on academics, so he was already pondering of Alkaline metals, even with a lovely girl in his arms.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy laughed heartily at Toby's moves as they danced with one another, bopping and swerving and spiraling out of control. She was breathless by the time she drew him in, clinging to him and laughing still as the song quietened. At Toby's suggestion, she looked up thoughtfully. "Well, no. Not yet. I'll admit I haven't done much in terms of transmutation outside my normal classwork. But that will be the first thing I try..." said Amy thoughtfully. "I fear Magnesium may be a bit too reactive though. It does love to explode. Did you know they used magnesium firebombs in World War 2?" asked Amy offhandedly as she ponded his suggestion.

Slithering out of Toby's arms, she continued her investigation of his flat. It was homey - and she liked the plants, even if she had no desire to grow her own. It added to the ambiance. It looked loved and lived in. Two traits that were completely at odds with Amy's lifestyle. The glitz and glamour of a Hollywood producer's daughter did not align with cramped and comfortable flats. It was all about sharp edges and neutral colours.

Amy's eye was drawn to the window, where darkness was rapidly falling. She swore, knowing she had to get back to her dorm before night fell properly. "Toby, I've got to go," she announced, turning to him. Amy had never liked travelling alone at night, knowing what sorts of things happened to pretty young girls in the shadows. "But it was really, really nice to meet you," she added, smiling at him. "I'll see you soon. Hopefully you'll have switched your classes to beasty ones by then," she finished. Her hand was on the door knob, about to let herself out when she turned. "I'm really lucky to have made a friend like you," said Amy unnecessarily, something not quite settling right with her at the phrase. She gave a little wave, and was gone.

tobias charles watkins for reference // end amy

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby smiled as Amy's face lit up about her experiment, explaining how Magnesium loved to explode. She followed by asking if he had known about magnesium firebombs in WW2. Hell, he probably should have known that, but he never found interest in learning about war so it wasn't information he retained if it was something he learned about. "No, I didn't know that.." he laughed, his head cocked to the side thoughtfully with a slight cringe. Thank Merlin Amy already knew that because he would have felt terrible to blow them up...

Amy pulled from his arms, eyes inspecting the flat with curious eyes until her eyes hit the window. The sun was slowly dimming through the curtains. At that, Amy quickly said she had to go, stating that she was lucky to have a friend like him. Whatever that meant. "Oh, okay. Yeah. It was a pleasure meeting you, Amy...I can walk you back-" Tobys reaction timing was a little delayed because the door was already closed before he could finish the last part. 

After reality set in he realized he didn't even get her number! Fuck. What if he never saw her again. It seemed like he may have to linger near the Alchemy classroom to see if he could bump into her... maybe doing some light stalking on her social media. Oh, bloody hell, he didn't want to seem like a creep either.. 

Toby stood in the quiet flat, feeling a void from the sudden lack of affection. He had a wonderful time with Amy and couldn't help but wonder if he was already friend zoned. Maybe it was the dancing. Or Magnesium. Fuck. For now, he'd scrutinize everything he said and done until he had the chance to see her again, which he hoped would be soon.


(End Toby)
AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW