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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 14, 2016 20:22:40 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 20:22:40 GMT -7
Will was shopping today. Well, sort of. He was there at the grocery store with one of his families employees, but he was being helpful. She'd be taking them home without him, though, but he was there to help for the moment. They were loading the cart with all the usual niceties; milk, eggs, cake mix, etc. It wasn't for anything fancy, just a normal grocery trip. Will preferred they shop local, supporting the suppliers in the area. He turned the corner, pushing the cart down the breakfast aisle when he saw her up ahead. Claire. What was she doing in a muggle grocery store? He found himself grinning, feigning that he didn't notice her as he pushed the cart further. After a moment, he let go of it to look at the cereal right beside her. Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 14, 2016 20:35:50 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 20:35:50 GMT -7
Claire was going about her life as normal, despite the events of a few days ago. She still felt absolutely nothing about it. No regret, no remorse. Nothing. It almost scared her, how callous she felt about ending another person's life. But it was even more terrifying to know that if it happened again... Well she probably wouldn't feel anything then either. But grocery shopping? That felt almost... too normal. IT made her feel heartless to be so normal after it. And yet she'd been putting off grocery shopping for two weeks now, and she was sick of living off takeout.
Her cart was next to her, still mostly empty since she'd only just gotten to the store. She had a plan, going down each aisle with strategic like precision. Currently she was in the Breakfast aisle and was trying to decide between two brands of cereal. Holding both boxes in her hands she compared ingredients, to decide which would be the slightly healthier choice, when she spotted someone out of the corner of her eye. It took only a split second to recognize who it was, even without looking up.
"If you're trying to sneak up on me, Will, you failed."
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 14, 2016 20:43:42 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 20:43:42 GMT -7
Will chuckled as she spoke. Claire had always been preceptive, and she was an auror now which means she probably just got better at it. "Just testing you, Claire. You passed," he said. Mavin, the woman he was here shopping with came back to put some things in the cart and looked up, curious what Will was up to. Will didn't turn to face her yet, instead leaning toward Claire to point at one of the cereals. "Had that one before. It tastes like dirty feet," he smirked, bringing his hand back. He turned back toward Mavin and gave her a nod and a smile, to which she took as being done. She left, finishing up at the register. "Could you use some company?" he asked, turning back to Claire. She looked different now... Something inside her was different. But, somehow, she looked the same too. Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 14, 2016 20:58:35 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 20:58:35 GMT -7
Claire finally looked over at him. It'd been several years since she last saw William. Since she graduated. He was taller, older obviously. "Is that so?" She asked, a small smile touching at her lips. Another woman, older then both of them, came up. From the way she acted, Claire could immediately tell that the woman was with William. Not 'with' him, more like she worked for him. No surprise. Claire had never cared about it but always been aware of his royal status. Of course someone was with him while he was shopping. "Babysitter?" She teased softly as she glanced back at the boxes in her hands and returned the one he'd mentioned to the shelf with a shrug. "And here I thought Princes didn't eat cereal." She added as she set the other one in her cart and turned to face him as she brushed her hair off her shoulders. He'd dismissed the other woman now, and Claire raised an eyebrow. "Sure." She accepted his offer as she turned to her cart and started to push it down the aisle, assuming he'd follow. "How have you been?"
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 14, 2016 21:07:02 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 21:07:02 GMT -7
Claire was making fun, naturally. That smile offered was familiar and comforting, something that he needed right now. Edmund was... Less than thrilled with him and his mum was worrying more and more every day, causing him immense stress. Plus, he and Isla had decided they were better off as friends, which was a mutual decision but Will still missed the companionship and he worried about her. Always would. But that was why he was glad for her teasing about the 'babysitter' and for that familiar small smile. Some things didn't change competely, and that was nice to remember. "Not a Prince," he reminded her. "I am a knight now, though," he tried to brush this off casually but his pride obvious. She accepted his offer for company and asked how he'd been. He walked beside her, "well, I suppose. Just looking after my siblings, curse breaking now, serving in the British court. And how about you? How have you been?"Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 14, 2016 21:33:09 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 21:33:09 GMT -7
Claire raised both eyebrows as he corrected her, then smirked as he added the knight part. "Regardless, you are still within the single digits to the throne, Sir." His title really didn't mean anything to her. Why should it? "Is it still fourth in line, or have you moved up to third?" She remembered information like that. She'd been an excellent student in school, and prided herself in her ability to remember. It was one of the ways she'd done so well, she retained information without much trouble.
Heading down the aisle, Claire stopped only long enough to grab a container of oatmeal and toss it into her cart as well before heading down the next aisle. "I heard you were at Gringotts now, curse breaking is a tough job." She knew, she'd seen the NEWT requirements. She could have gotten into it, probably, but her parents had been set on having an Auror in the family. "Your siblings. Susan, Edmund and Lucy. They're still in school right?" With her own siblings. Claire's younger siblings were in the same years as two of Will's. Claire stopped the cart to compare coffee brands, deciding on one and tossing it into the cart by the cereal. His returned question made her pause momentarily. "I've been better, but I won't bore you with the details." The engagement, death of her fiancee, issues with her siblings, killing someone on the job. Yeah, he really didn't need to know all that.... Who was she kidding though, he might know that last part. THe Daily Prophet had been all over that story.
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 15, 2016 10:27:29 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 10:27:29 GMT -7
Will sighed with a smile, looking down and shaking his head. "Still fourth. Though, Uncle Ferdinand isn't feeling very well," he said with a shrug. He chuckled, he heard the way she said 'sir', like she was making fun at him. He didn't mind that, it was typical Claire behavior and she was the last person who would care about his knighthood. I mean, a 'congratulations' would have been nice, but he didn't expect that from her. Actually, he didn't expect anything from her. hey hadn't talked in years. His mind flashed back to the last time they did talk, before she graduated from Hogwarts. They had a good run and good fun while they dated, but she was graduating and there was no point in staying together then. They had never gotten serious, so it really wasn't a hard break. He even felt that he had been more serious with Isla, but that was over now. But with Claire, well, it took a few years of convincing before she finally agreed and then they just had fun after that. It was definitely worth the pestering, on his end. He came back to reality as she mentioned Gringotts and his siblings. "Yeah, it's tough but I really like it. I've been thinking about quitting but... I don't know yet," he said truthfully. "Not because it's hard, but because I might need to focus more on stuff you won't care to hear about," he chuckled. "Yeah, Susan will be graduating next year," he shook his head, "can't believe it. Grey and Addi are still there, too... right? Yeah," he nodded, remembering how close in age their siblings were. At her pause and answer to his question, he tilted his head to the side. He had read about her mission against that French girl that ended in the villain being killed. Was that bothering her? Will placed a hand lightly on her arm, "hey, I won't get bored. I don't bore easily," he smiled. "But, if it's worth anything, I think you did the right thing. With that raid and all," he explained. Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 15, 2016 11:25:20 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 11:25:20 GMT -7
Claire's gaze flickered to Will as he said his uncle wasn't feeling well. "I'm sorry to hear that." She meant that, the teasing gone from her voice. Part of her had always related to William, because in a way he felt the same sort of expectations and standards as she did. He was the oldest of four, he was in line for the British Throne. He'd spent his entire life in the spotlight, the whole world watching his every move. She might not have it to that level, but she could understood it. You'd think that should have given Claire a reason to accept his initial advances when they were students. But no, Clarie had rejected him for years, and when she finally had said yes it hadn't been serious. Her schooling had always come first, and she'd just juggled their casual dating on top of it.
So, he liked Curse breaking but wanted to quit? Well, that sounded like quite the dilemma. By stuff she didn't want to hear about, she assumed he meant royal obligations. Being only fourth in line, and far younger then those ahead of him here was little doubt that he ran a very high chance of actually wearing the crown someday. "Well, whatever your decision is I'm sure it will be the right one. Now is the time in our life where we need to decide where we are wanting to go long term." Long term for Claire meant Head Auror. Someday. The position was currently held by Harry Potter, but he was quite a bit older then her. She could plan on replacing him once he retired. "I believe Susan and Grey are in the same year, as are Edmund and Addilyn." Actually, she was pretty sure Edmund and Addi were friends. She could recall seeing them together back when she was a student herself. But that might have changed, people fell in and out of friendships all the time.
Claire stopped when he put his hand on her arm, still in the aisle with coffee and tea, and looked at him. His mentioning the raid... It should have stirred something. Some flashback of the events, or regret at taking another person's life. Instead she felt that same nothingness as before. "I did my job, Will." She started to explain, stopping momentarily to start push the cart once more and head down the next aisle. Pasta. "People keep asking how I'm doing, and that's all I can say. Because that's all I feel about it. I know I should have some regret, or remorse. But I don't." Why she was telling Will this... Well, maybe it was because of their history. Maybe it was just the casualness of their current meeting. Either way, she'd admitted aloud what she'd been feeling, or rather not feeling, for days.
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 15, 2016 11:56:39 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 11:56:39 GMT -7
She said she was sorry about his Uncle and will gave an appreciative nod. "Thank you." Really, Will thought he'd make a pretty good King but he didn't want bad things to happen to get him there. He'd prefer it just happen due to people thinking he was the best choice rather then because the three ahead of him, two uncles and two cousins, died or something. That would be terrible and would make being King tainted. He hated that thought, he loved his family, he didn't want anything bad to happen to him. She always had a way of making his jumbled thoughts sound logical and in order, and he didn't know how she did that. It came with being an older sister, maybe, for Susan was also good at that. Will was not. The phrase 'long term' though, was a hard one for Will. He was always trying to think about that, but he couldn't see what was ahead. "Yeah... you want to stay in the Auror Department, then?" he assumed. He nodded at her next words about their siblings, "yeah, you're right. I wonder if they're friends... probably, since Ad and Ed are in the same house,' he guessed. Edmund wasn't really the type to tell Will who he was friends with, though. She stopped but he kept his hand on her arm. He'd touched her a hundred times, hadn't he? Still, for a moment he felt as though he was disrupting her. She said that she'd done her job and started moving again, and that's when he took his hand away. He still walked right beside her, though, listening. "Well... I don't know if I would either," he admitted. "I don't think I would care at all," he said firmly. He really meant it, too. If it was his job to get rid of bad guys who were hurting people then he'd do it without question. Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 15, 2016 12:22:34 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 12:22:34 GMT -7
Claire was a very logical person in general. Not just because of her younger siblings, though she was sure they'd played a role in it. It was also why she was a good Auror, or so she believed. She had an almost cold, calculating outlook on her job. She weighed the risks, and chose the most logical answer, regardless of what that was. That was why she hadn't even hesitated to kill Desirae. Why she'd chosen to electrocute her. Desirae had been surrounded by, and covered in water, a natural conductor. It was, in that moment, the quickest and most efficient way. No hesitation. Claire's entire life was handled in that exact same calculations. Weighing her options and choosing the best. Casey had changed that, he'd made her want to follow her feelings, and her gut. And because of that he'd died. She wouldn't make that mistake again. "Yes. Head Auror, preferably, or maybe Head of Department." Where else would she go? She'd never let herself even consider doing something else. "I think they are. Or were when we were also in school. I wouldn't know if they still are or not." How Addi had ended up in Slytherin... Well, it hadn't been to surprising in a way, but both Claire and Grey were in Gryffindor so many had wondered why she was so different from her older siblings. Will knew that better though, none of his siblings had been in the same house as another, and in turn now represented all four hours.
Claire knew that killing Desirae had affected Abigail, even though she hadn't dealt the killing blow. She'd seen it in Abigail's face after. So she didn't think it was normal to feel nothing for taking a life. "I'm not sure." She answered truthfully about if he would care or not. "From what I've read on Auror reports most take their first kill quite hard. Some even need therapy sessions to cope." She explained, with a shrug as she tossed in a few packages of pasta noodles.
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 16, 2016 15:13:44 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 15:13:44 GMT -7
Will let out a low whistle, "I'm impressed. I think you could do it," he added with an encouraging nod. Then she mentioned how Addilyn and Edmund were friends, or at least when they were all in school together, "not that I would know or be able to find out. Ed's not really the type to open up," he admitted with a frown. He liked that he and his siblings were spread among the houses, it reminded him of why they were such a good team. They worked together well because they were so different.
Will pursed his lips in thought for a moment, "well, I guess I won't know unless that day comes, which hopefully isn't any time soon," he added. The only way he'd be killing someone is if a full on war broke out, either on the muggle or wizarding side. Or if he joined the auror force but... he didn't want to put his siblings in that kind of danger. That was the main problem with Will. He always let his feelings for them get in the way.
"Where are you living now?" he asked casually.
Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 27, 2016 21:31:41 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 21:31:41 GMT -7
Claire glanced over at him when he said he thought she could do it, and smiled. "Thank you." She responded, meaning it just as much as he had. It meant a lot, having someone believe you could accomplish something. And not just assume you'd do it. It was more of a.... faith or belief, rather then an expectation with Will. "It sounds as if he's just as stubborn as you are." She observed. She'd never really known Edmund during school, just that he'd been friends with her sister. But if he was anything like Will... Well, no wonder they didn't get along.
"Hopefully it doesn't happen." She muttered under her breath. The fact that she still felt nothing about taking a life was unnerving to her. It made her feel hollow, in a way. And she didn't want Will to ever have to endure that. They'd finally gotten to produce now and Claire stepped away from the cart as she started to pick out several apples, turning them over in her hands to carefully check for any soft spots. Only the ones that passed her inspection went into the bag, the rest returned to the stack. "I have an apartment in London, not to far from here." She answered as she returned to the cart and set the bag of apples inside. That was why she did most of her grocery shopping here, it was easy to walk to and from. "So tell me. What brought you to a muggle grocery store?"
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Nov 28, 2016 15:28:41 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 15:28:41 GMT -7
He nodded at her 'thank you', not commenting on it further. Will wasn't one to digress a topic and neither was Claire as far as his experience with her. He knew that they were both pretty quick to the point individuals, so it was easier to just move past something once it was said and done. As she observed about Ed being as stubborn as Will was, Will chuckled, looking down for a moment, "yes, well, that's exactly why we don't get along that well," he explained, looking back up at her, "we don't have the same ideas or goals, either. It's hard to find common ground," he said. He felt like he and his brother had done better this summer, but, that was just for a moment.
Claire said something under her breath, and Will actually didn't catch it. If she didn't say it out right then he was sure that she didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't ask her what it was. Even if he was curious. He watched her assess he apples in the produce area and his eyes settled on her hands. Her skin contrasted well with the rich red of the apples and he felt his lip tug up a little into a half smile. She was even graceful grocery shopping.
She answered his question and he nodded to confirm he'd heard it. Then she asked what brought him to the muggle grocery store and he chuckled, "mum likes to support local farmers, so she prefers us to shop here. Plus, mum is a muggle and so are all the employees at the castle so here I am," he explained. "I guess you're here because you don't live too far... need company taking this back home?" he offered.
Claire Evangeline Slater
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Dec 15, 2016 17:11:58 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 17:11:58 GMT -7
Claire smiled as he talked about his brother. Even though they didn't get along, she could tell that Will loved his little brother. She felt the same way about Grey. "You'd be surprised. I bet you have more in common with him then you ever thought." She thoughtfully responded as she tossed in a head of lettuce. That was how her and Grey were. She hadn't thought they had anything in common. And growing up they just kept their distance. But this year she'd learned very differently. You could especially imagine her surprise when she'd heard that Grey wanted to be an Auror. Definitely not because of their parents' wishes, but for himself. She never would have known he'd pick the same career path as her.
She basically had everything she'd come for, so she stopped moving among the produce and looked at him meticulously as he explained why he was there and then asked if she could use company. It was such a strutinizing stare, so critical. It was a normal look for her, and it was the look she got when she was carefully considering a question or offer. Will had been on the receiving end of the same stare many times during school, particularly when he kept asking her out. The more concerning part about this particular stare, was it was impossible to tell what way her answer might swing. "I suppose, if you don't have any other immediate plans?" She answered finally.
@william
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last online Apr 20, 2024 2:38:33 GMT -7
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Dec 16, 2016 13:37:39 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 13:37:39 GMT -7
Will shook his head a little, unsure. "I... maybe. Maybe," but that was all he got out for a moment, "I guess we both like the Slaters," he added, raising an eyebrow at her slowly, his lips slowly curling into a smile again. It was true, Ed was best friends with Addi and Will was... well, rather obsessed with Claire when they were in school. Claire was still beautiful now, of course, and he would be lying if he claimed he didn't think about being close to her, like they used to be.
Then, at his request to accompany her home, she stared at him and his eyes slightly widened. He knew that stare, though, and knew that he just had to give it some time before she would deduct what to do. He waited, but not patiently. He was slightly nervous, kind of like he was pestering her to date him all over again. He had no idea what her answer would be this time, just like old time.
Finally, she spoke, and he breathed again. "I don't," he answered.
Claire Evangeline Slater
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