team | brígh

[addilyn elara slater]

dancin' around the lies we tell

dancin' around big eyes, as well

December 2028
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Seeing one’s teammates outside practice was not strange or rare. The Harpies enjoyed a drink or two as a team from time to time. Addy appreciated the camaraderie and the open and welcoming arms of the team. They never forgot Luna, of course, and often spoke highly of her—which only reminded Addy that her position was not permanent. But, in the meantime, she was allowed all the perks and responsibilities as if she were, including attending this Quidditch Gala event. Spotting her teammates, Addy joined them briefly before making her way to the drink table. She took her time, which allowed her to scope the room.

Addy could easily spot the plus ones, some just ever so slightly wobbly as they were paraded in high heels. Physical coordination and balance were central to a Quidditch athlete’s success, which made high heels seem like nothing. Addy also noted the faces of Quidditch reporters. Merlin knew they hung around the matches enough, and Grey often spoke of many. But she was not sure if Grey or even Cheese would attend. On one hand, Addy had sort of forgotten to ask her friend, but on the other, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask. Despite their continuing friendship, Addy couldn’t admit she was not accustomed to how the distance grew between them.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Addy hadn't specifically invited Brígh as her plus one to the Quidditch Gala per se... but Addy was very busy being a Quidditch superstar as of late, so Brígh was willing to look past this oversight. She'd been visiting Bran during the day, and had spotted the invitation in the bin just a few hours before it had started. The flat they shared with the Krum girls was empty bar Brígh, so she deduced that Addy had gone to get ready at her parent's home. She sighed, tucking the invitation into her bag for use later before retreating upstairs to get herself ready.

With her long red hair swept artfully over her shoulder, Brígh apparated to the gala clad in a silken black dress. She was infinitely more freckly from her many hours in the sun, no matter how much sun cream she applied. Things had been busy in the field - Brígh had returned from a gruelling mission in Libya translating runes and defusing curses. Under Rhys' tutelage, she'd flourished as a curse breaker. And she'd spared no time writing to Addy, Cheese and Aidan about her many successes and adventures. Though Brígh did always add at the bottom of her increasingly long letters that they should come visit and see some of the incredible places - but nothing too cursed! And they always replied in a similar manner - don't die.

Brígh flashed the invited and stepped into the ballroom. She looked around - it was artfully decorated in the national colours of Great Britain and Ireland, and though she pursed her lips at the partnership, she said nothing. Her eyes were on stalks and she spotted Addy at once, graceful as a swan as she listened to someone off to the side. Brígh made a beeline for her best friend, a smile spreading across her lips as she moved. "Miss Slater, don't you look positively radiant," said Brígh, threading her arm into Addy's. "Sorry, I've got to steal her," said Brígh to the young man across from them, whom she had interrupted with her entrance. As she steered Addy away rather bodily, Brígh glanced over at her. "I assume that you've been so busy that you forgot to ask me to come too. No matter. I found the invite. You look too good to be true. How are you," she said, patting Addy gently on the shoulder in greeting despite having her arm hooked tightly in hers.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

dancin' around the lies we tell

dancin' around big eyes, as well

December 2028
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

With an arm looping through hers, Addy felt a moment of surprise. However, that sensation passed quickly. Brígh appeared like she’d traveled through space and time using some unexplainable magic. However, Addy was less than surprised. Smiling politely at the young man, Addy allowed Brígh to lead her away. ”You’re late.” She remarked, the tinge of sarcasm lingering. Truthfully, Addy had forgotten to bring up the Gala at all to Brígh. Life had grown busier than ever. Never in her wildest dreams did Addy ever think life in the professional leagues would somehow take more hours out of her day than the Ministry ever did. And yet, Addy didn’t mind.

Had she not been raised a Slater, she would easily admit this was the time of her life. Nothing beat that exhausted feeling after practice, satisfaction with her work and growth as an athlete. Not to mention a certain weight appeared to lesson from her shoulders over time. For a moment, Addy had considered asking Jack to attend as her plus one. For a moment. When the invitation had arrived in the post, his face had flashed in her mind. He was busy, however, with his own growing career. And this type of thing seemed entirely out of the purview of their friendship. And Addy wasn’t keen on creating a situation where she might get caught with him in some forgotten broom cupboard in the venue. Not that thought didn’t leave her biting her lower lip.

She supposed some time ago Cheese might have been an option. But they didn’t seem to speak as much these days. But, Brígh—the one person Addy never doubted, her best friend. And while Slytherin might have been her former house, one was always a snake for life. And such unconditional trust was rare. ”You clean up well. I almost didn’t recognize you without those boots of yours.” A Cursebreaker staple, Addy had learned. ”I did mean to text you—I’m sorry.” She offered Brígh a sheepish grin. But, all the same she was here now. ”Millie has been throwing practice after practice at us.” Addy groaned, glancing around until her eyes landed on the Harpies Captain who was chatting away with a Prophet reporter. ”I think Grey is around here somewhere.” But Addy hadn’t spotted her older brother yet. Then again how could she, when those blue eyes of hers were also looking for a tall and awkward boy with a camera as well. ”How was Libya?”

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh shook her head and clucked her tongue irritably. She didn't deign to respond to Addy - who, of course, knew that Brígh would turn up for this event with or without a direct invitation. After nearly a decade of friendship, it was apparent the two could practically read one another's minds. Brígh steered Addy away from what was no doubt a monotonous and unending conversation, one which Brígh had no interest in. The pair tottered over to a table and Brígh plonked herself down before leaning forward, chin on hand, eyeing Addy with interest.

"Thank you. The boots are undergoing a deep clean. They were starting to smell worse than Bran," said Brígh with a wrinkle of her nose. "I'll forgive you the indiscretion considering... well, everything. Are you still seeing that sallow faced rock star? Is he a rock star yet?" asked Brígh, tilting her head slightly. She'd had her own run in with musicians in the past, and needless to say it hadn't ended very well. One night of frivolity was all it had taken for Brígh to realise what she really wanted in life. And it was not all gilded mansions and endless booze.

Flicking her hair over her shoulder, Brígh adjusted the skirt of her dress, rearranging it over her legs. "Soon you're going to be in better shape than me. Again," said Brígh, huffing out a sigh. "But it's so nice, isn't it? Literally falling into bed because you're too exhausted to do anything else. To even think. And those intrusive thoughts just can't hang on," she said with a faint smile. Brígh followed Addy's gaze, spotting the famed Harpies captain, but there was no sign of the middle Slater child. "Two Slaters in a place that isn't the ministry. Think your mam will have an aneurysm," she added after a moment before returning her gaze to Addy. But Addy still wasn't looking at her, even if her next question was directed to her. Brígh narrowed her eyes slightly, pensive. "It was fine. Who else are you looking for?"

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

dancin' around the lies we tell

dancin' around big eyes, as well

December 2028
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

The one consistency Addy felt grateful for was her best friend. Through thick and thin, the fights and disagreements and running into burning castles—Brígh was always there. So, naturally, she made the perfect plus one for any event. At one point, Addy thought Cheese—Rafe would always be her plus one. But she’d done well to bungle that. Addy chuckled at the comparison. Despite how it sounded, Addy knew Brígh cared for her family—especially her older brother. Addy had met him many times and always marveled how kind and relatively soft-spoken he was in contrast to his fiery little sister.

But Addy remained tight-lipped on the matter of the ‘rock star’, only offering Brígh a look. ”Not yet.” But the songs Jack had released had done well, and Addy had to admit they were certainly on her portable music device. Plus, she’d had some insight on them before their release. ”And I’m not seeing him.” Addy clarified. This thing she had with Jack was merely two people—friends with a beneficial physical relationship. Relationship stress was something to be avoided in Addy’s mind. She had far too much to focus on.

”Hardly—you look amazing.” Addy remarked. All that time in the field, she noticed the difference in her friend. They knew it was an immensely physical job. Everyone Addy saw looked in peak physical form, but it made sense. ”Yes—but sometimes I’m so exhausted. It's nothing like the House Teams.” And that was a given. This was the real thing—the big leagues. But by the end of the week, Addy shamefully spent a half day sleeping just to recover. Sipping a flute of champagne she’d just acquired, Addy rolled her eyes. She hadn’t spoken to her mother since before quitting the Ministry.

Eyes snapping back to Brígh, Addy looked shocked by the question. ”Nobody—just Grey.” Addy drank from the flute again, resisting the urge to scope the room again. ”Just fine?” It wasn’t like Brígh to describe a trip in a sentence that was less than a hundred-word run-on. So, Addy attempted to steer the conversation back to that topic.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh narrowed her eyes at Addy, but wisely held her tongue. Oh, so Addy wasn't seeing this boy? Fat chance. Brígh knew that she probably fantasised about Jack Clark about as much as Brígh thought about Aidan - especially since Aidan had gotten so busy at the reserve. She missed him terribly, but that didn't mean her imagination couldn't run rampant with all the things she'd like to do when they had the time. And to be honest, Brígh was relieved. When Addy and Cheese had split up - when they'd started dating even, she'd been nervous that it would put a damper on the trio's relationship. While she hadn't been exactly wrong, the dynamic was a bit wonky these days, so Brígh was glad that Addy was doing her best not to focus on that.

"No thanks to all the koshary I've been eating," Brígh muttered, more to herself than anything. It mixed rice AND pasta! Among other things but... two carbs! Brígh was in heaven. She nodded resolutely at Addy's observation that she was tired. "Do your bones feel brittle? Do your muscles ache in places you didn't even know they could? It's called... getting old!" said Brígh with a flourish, before frowning. "No, I imagine it's very taxing though. And you've not got school work to contend with just... Quidditch... all the time..." said Brígh, pulling a face. She truly couldn't think of anything worse, but she knew Addy loved it.

Brígh made an off-hand comment about how her mam would have an aneurysm knowing two of the Slater children were outside the confines of the ministry, but Addy barely replied. In fact, Brígh was certain she wasn't listening. She was scanning the room, looking for someone in particular. She sounded cagey when prompted for clarification, but Brígh wasn't one to let things go. "Grey, eh?" said Brígh, narrowing her gaze at her best friend. But she let the topic drop - for now. She'd come back with a vengeance later.

"Well, there was quite a bit of advanced arithmancy involved that neither Rhys nor I were expecting - I'm well used to the Agrippan method, but some of the curses were tied to Chadean numerology. Basically like expecting to find something written in English and finding out it's all in Hindu. A bit bollocks. Anyways, I'm glad Rhys was there because even if he's a pain in my ass and grumpy to boot, he's a quick thinker. By the way, I was thinking maybe we could practice some duelling some time, I need to work on my shield charm..." Brígh prattled on, keeping an eye on Addy and following her gaze as she did so.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

dancin' around the lies we tell

dancin' around big eyes, as well

December 2028
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Somethings never changed, such as Addy’s approach to relationships, apparently. At least, that was something Brígh would insist on. And then Addy would insist that Brígh certainly did not know Addy, as Addy herself did. But it was the truth. Jack Clark was not her boyfriend, and Addy was not his girlfriend. They had settled upon that ages ago. Their connection was a physical one, and Merlin, was it physical. They both needed outlets for the stresses in their lives without the dramatics of everything else and someone to talk to at times. That was all it was, and Addy was satisfied with that. She didn’t need the distractions of before, not like when she was figuring out her situation with one Raphael McLaggen.

”Merlin—we’re not that old.” Addy countered. Not even twenty-one and already complaining about achy bones and sore body parts. However, she had to smile. Brígh would never understand their draw to flying on brooms all day, and Addy would never understand willingly jumping into hot sand without knowing exactly what they were getting into. ”I can’t imagine it's worse than jungles one day and deserts the next.” Addy didn’t like that level of unpredictability. Addy knew Brígh’s tone but refused to take the bait. ”Yes—he’s a Quidditch reporter, he always attends these things.

A little robotically, Addy nodded her head and acknowledged Brígh was speaking. Catching familiar terms from Arithmancy, although anything Cursebreaker-specific was unfamiliar. ”Right—I can help with charms.” Addy responded, though it took a moment for her statement to register fully. ”Shield charms? Did something happen?” From what Brígh had described, that was already a central tenant of her training. ”Didn’t Rhys put you all through the ringer with all manner of shield charms?” She recalled something about the senior Cursebreaker literally launching rubble at them to make sure their charms worked. Logically, it made sense. The intent was far stronger that way—although in all practicality. Well, that was another matter. At least on that note, Addy forgot about her visual search for Cheese.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh smirked. "It's more like jungles one week and deserts the next, but I'll let it slide," she said with a slight incline of her head. She did question who Addy was looking for - and wasn't exactly satisfied with her response. Of course Grey would be here - but probably squirrelled away with some hot shot Quidditch player getting an exclusive interview. Or something like that. Brígh was momentarily distracted by a gorgeous diamond necklace hanging around the neck of some too-skinny girl who clung to the arm of a beefy man. She elbowed Addy in the side. "Who's that?" she muttered under her breath, her dark eyes glued to the glimmering jewels.

Blinking, Brígh brought her focus back to the present, and commented that she wanted extra practice with her shield charms. In reality, her charms were good enough, but Brígh wanted a good excuse to spend more time with Addy, and learning was a surefire way in. Brígh furtively looked back at the couple she'd been eyeing before, but they'd disappeared. "Define... something..." said Brígh with a sigh. "I took an arrow to my calf - would have been worse if Rhys hadn't deflected it, but still I don't know how it broke through my initial charm." She sighed. The wound had been healed in a trice, but Brígh hated the fact that she'd been hurt in the first place. "Suppose I just didn't top it up enough. We were over an hour into it after all," she added thoughtfully.

"But really, it's not that deep. We weren't cursed to bits, and that is what really matters, right? I am hole and before you and here to annoy you for another several months," Brígh added with a smile. "I take my best mate duty very very seriously." She straightened, smoothing out the satin of her dress and snatching a drink from a nearby tray. "Who do you reckon is the most important person in this room?" asked Brígh as she sipped the very expensive champagne. Delightful.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

dancin' around the lies we tell

dancin' around big eyes, as well

December 2028
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy shook her head, chuckling. It was all the same to her. She felt like Brígh was on one side of the planet one day and then the other within a day or two. It would sound exciting if not for the inherent danger. But Brígh asked about someone walking by. Casually, Addy’s eyes moved in that direction to spot the couple. ”I think he plays for the Canons…” It felt like an impossible task to learn everyone in the league, but Addy probably knew more than most. Plus, with trades and injuries commonplace, rosters changed often. Addy was proof of that with Luna out on medical for the Harpies.

Any thought of anything else moved aside in Addy’s mind as her focus now centered on why Brígh needed more help with Shield Charms. ”An arrow?” Addy repeated, if not for their presence at the Gala. Her tone would’ve been sharper and her voice louder. ”Merlin, are you okay?” She had to be; otherwise, there wasn’t a chance of her walking in her with those heels looking as fantastic as she did. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. They weren’t cursed? That was the good news?

”Brígh I—“ Addy stopped herself, she needed to recompose herself. ”Of course, I’ll help you. I need you here in one piece.” If there were one person, Addy would follow to the end of the Earth or whatever desert. In this case, it was Brígh. She smiled softly at her fiery friend. Their lives had diverged in such different directions, but they always found one another, didn’t they? Addy retrieved a drink from the same tray and sipped it slowly. Pretending to carefully consider such a question. ”Well—I suppose it's whoever is favored in the league at the moment…but for me, it’s you, obviously.” Any other answer would have caused a passionate response, even a monologue from her best friend.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

It was almost like becoming a curse breaker had awakened some niffler like sense in Brígh. She'd become more and more drawn to shiny objects in the past two years than she could ever remember before. So when a glittering, heavy diamond necklace caught her eye, Brígh was naturally distracted. The girl wearing it looked properly weighed down, Brígh really ought to relieve it from her... but resist the temptation she did. Addy murmured that the beefy man beside diamond girl played for the Canons, giving Brígh pause. Merlin, she wanted that necklace. "Reckon Aidan would be okay with my having a sugar daddy?" asked Brígh under her breath, entirely unserious. But still...

Brígh wasn't concerned with the arrow that had struck her calf and left a puckered scar on her fair skin, but Addy certaily was. Blinking, Brígh appraised Addy with a questioning look. "It wasn't cursed or anything," she reiterated. "And Rhys deflected it, like I said. So I just want to make sure I'm on my game, which means practicing," she added after a moment. "I'll take an arrow over say a disemboweling curse." Brígh shrugged, having heard scores of horror stories from Rhys and his usual curse breaking partner, Archer. "Though I suppose disembowelment would be great for the figure."

Brígh sipped at the very expensive champagne, letting the bubbles rest on her tongue for a moment before swallowing. Merlin, Quidditch players really got treated well. Maybe she'd missed a trick. But no, she wouldn't give up curse breaking for anything. She asked who the most important person in the room was, her eyes still drifting across the various players and partners. Addy's response took her by surprise - though she supposed it probably shouldn't have. "You're making me blush," said Brígh, who indeed had started to turn red in the cheeks. "And I love you to the ends of the earth. Is Millie here? Can I tell her to make you permanent?" asked Brígh, a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

dancin' around the lies we tell

dancin' around big eyes, as well

December 2028
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy chuckled, having caught what Brígh commented under her breath. ”You’d have to explain to him that it doesn’t actually involve sugar…” Aidan was a sweet boy, but from what Addy had heard, there were certain aspects of their lives that clashed with druid culture. But Addy had to confess she didn’t know all that much about Hy-Brasil or the Druids. Still, now Addy was far more concerned with the danger her best friend seemingly stepped into daily. ”How could he have deflected it and it still hit you in the leg?” Addy wondered, her tone stern. Obviously, this Rhys fellow was not up to snuff if he was letting his fellow Cursebreakers take arrows to the leg.

Mentally, she made a note to tell Claire the next time she spoke to her. At least they could both be equally outraged and on the same page for once. Ever since Addy shared her career change with her sister, things hadn’t quite been the same. She chose to ignore the comment about disembowelment for now. Honestly, what on Earth had Brígh signed up for? At least she could stress that Brígh needed to remain in one piece and, more importantly, alive. How on earth would Addy go on without her other half? ”Well, it's true.” Addy also sipped her champagne, still wishing for something stronger, but nobody on her team was drinking anything stronger than champagne at the moment.

”No.” Addy looked sternly at Brígh, a wordless warning to leave the topic alone. Addy could fight her own battles, plus there simply was not a starting line position. Pestering her Captain would do nothing but embarrass her. Addy still couldn’t shake the mental image of Brígh with a huge arrow sticking out of her leg. ”Merlin, Brígh…a bloody arrow.” She shook her head. ”Who on earth am I supposed to talk to if you’re out there getting…dismembered or whatever by cursed arrows?” Addy drank a large amount of champagne, already looking for a passing server to grab a refill.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh sighed at the linear way Addy thought. It was her fatal flaw - if something didn't make immediate sense, she would often discard the notion as fallacy. "Rhys was able to deflect the magical aspect - so it was just like an arrow, not a cursed arrow. And that was easy to fix," explained Brígh patiently, as if explaining how one and one made two. She made an off-hand comment about disemboweling, but Addy wasn't interested in parsing that particular topic. Instead, Brígh poked the proverbial dragon, and suggested she mention to Millie that Addy ought to be made permanent. Brígh frowned."Why? I can be very persuasive..." But she trailed off. The look Addy gave her brokered no argument, and Brígh let the subject drop.

Though Brígh was immensely proud of Addy making the hard decision to change careers from something stable (and dreadfully boring) in the Ministry to her real passion for Quidditch, she couldn't help but feel like Addy was being overlooked. If Addy had been scouted straight from school, rather than turning down the opportunity, would they treat her better? It was something Brígh had spent a surprising amount of time mulling over. And even then, nobody except for her (and maybe Cheese on a good day) could see just how impressive and impactful Addy was. She was a hurricane.

Frowning more deeply, Brígh considered Addy's comment. "Who do you talk to except for me? I expect they're terribly dull," said Brígh, also finishing off her champagne and peering around for a refill. "Er... Cheese? What's even going on with you two, I can't keep up. And I know, I know. I should nose out. But... I can't resist. and I've had three glasses of champagne, so I'm not to blame," said Brígh quickly, widening her eyes in what she hoped was a gaze of pure innocence.

addilyn elara slater