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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 2, 2019 10:53:11 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2019 10:53:11 GMT -7
Jan. 15th Jim was out of the hospital and their schedules had finally aligned so they could go get a drink together. Her original intention in doing so was to try and find a way to explain to him why she left him behind without revealing exactly where she was. She hadn't come up with a plan yet and decided she would have to just improvise. Plus he knew that she was up to secretive things with her own group so she chose not to divulge all the information. He would understand better than most people. So she named the time and place, 9 p.m. at the Leaky cauldron on January 15th. She put on a white dress, subconsciously because of the innocence it represented. She arrived at the pub, and found there were already quite a few people there. Things had just started winding down from the attack at Hogsmeade village, people were recovering, and it seemed her and Jim weren't the only ones looking for a reason to celebrate. The place was lively with the Christmas lights still up. It was possible Hannah had left them up to try and maintain the cheer of the holiday, or she had just been so busy with everything going on that she didn't make an effort to whip out her wand and bring them down just yet. The pub smelled warm and cozy, and Victoire reminsced on happy times she had there. Hopefully tonight would be more happy times, and not end in a fight, argument or, God forbid, another dragon attack. @jim (Any adults are welcome to cameo in this thread at any time, I'm not tagging anyone so this is for you stalkers out there)
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 3, 2019 0:39:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 3, 2019 0:39:28 GMT -7
It only took a few days for Jim to be released from the hospital. He wasn’t surprised how short of a visit it was as his injuries weren’t the worse to come into the hospital. Spells and magical medicine did wonders. He broke a finger as a child before he knew he was a wizard and that seemed to take weeks to heal. He was thankful he didn’t have to wait that long at St.Mungos. After which it was right back to his normal life of paper work and half thought through inventions. He did get to hear from a few coworkers about the incident with the dragons and they asked how he had gotten hurt. Jim left out the part where Victoire and him had been actually fighting dragons, just saying he was hurt by debris during the attack. His adventurous life as a dragon fighter wasn’t something people needed to know.
Also while out of the hospital Jim was able to learn about what had been going on while he was recovering. News at St. Mungos traveled pretty slow with how busy everyone was. While the dragons had been attacking Hogsmeade someone had attacked and pretty much blew up Azkaban, the prison for magical criminals. He supposed this was what Vic has been up to when she said she wasn’t fighting dragons. The purifiers possibly caused it and Heliopath he imagined we’re fighting them off. Whatever the reason and how it happened it was just surprising to learn what could be worse than a dragon attack but that would indeed count.
Over the next couple of days Vic and Jim exchanges a few owls mostly related to when they should go out for drinks. He didn’t bother to ask about what had happened during the dragon attack and with Azkaban. While he was curious, it wasn’t like he expected her to tell him. They were in separated orders after all and while in Jim’s mind they all had the same goal of protecting people and stopping the purifiers. It still wasn’t like they were actually working together. Finally Vic decided on place and date what worked for both of them. The idea did cross his mind of asking what happened while they were out but he decided against it. This was a night of friendly drinks and celebrating still being alive after the attack pretty much. In the end he trusted that whatever happened was what needed to happen.
After getting home from work Jim got ready and left for The Leaky Cauldron. Arriving just after 9 P.M. he found Vic just standing around in a very pretty white dress. He also found that it still seemed to be Christmas for the Leaky Cauldron based on the decorations. He didn’t mind, he enjoyed Christmas and it’s decorations anyway. “So, you have a hot date or something after you’re done drinking with me?” Jim said with small sarcastic laugh as he walked up to Vic. “That dress is far to nice to just be drinking with me.” Even if he did think that part was true.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 3, 2019 5:00:37 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 3, 2019 5:00:37 GMT -7
Vic had seen her fair share of attractive people of course, but something made her catch at her breath a little when she turned around and came face-to-face with Jim. It wasn't that anything about him and changed from their previous encounters, not necessarily. But there was a sort of transformation that people went through when you got to know them better and you found out they were just as attractive inside as they were outside. Jim was one of those people. He was good-looking on his own, with or without her having to get to know him, but now that she did a little better and now that she had experienced such a memorable thing with him it was like he was glowing from the inside. She smiled, a little more sheepishly than Victoire generally smiled at anyone. "Yes, I do in fact. His name is Jimothy, have you met him?" She joked back. She looked down at her dress and shook her head before looking back up at him again. "In all honesty I kind of just grabbed the first thing in my closet that stood out to me," she explained, all joking aside. "If you think it's too much we can go back to my place and I'll change," she added with a small chuckle. Of course she wasn't serious, there was no need for her to go back and change, especially since he had given her a compliment.
She nodded toward the bar and started to walk toward it."So, I guess I'm buying since I left you and all," she added, a slight tone of morose lace through her words. She would probably never forgive herself for leaving him behind, that was very unlike her to do. She was sure that he was over it and wouldn't give her a hard time, but that didn't mean she would forgive herself as quickly.
@jim
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 3, 2019 8:16:49 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 3, 2019 8:16:49 GMT -7
Vic’s response to his joke wasn’t nearly what he had expected, there was an awkward second or two where he was wondering if this really was some date. A thought quickly squashed as he knew it was a joke. “Yeah I keep seeing him in the mirror, kind of annoying how he’s always copying me.” Jim joked back in return with a laugh. ”Besides this can’t be a date I’m not near as nervous as I would normally would but and I’d be making awful small talk by now. How’s the weather, stuff like that.” He added with another laugh as he really was terrible with trying to keep a conversation going when he was nervous. Vic explained that she just grabbed the first thing she noticed and wore it. If he thought it was too much they could also go back to her place so she could change. While knowing that was a joke he couldn’t help but imagine just how that would seem to someone listening on if they were. ”N-no, you look great and I wouldn’t want to trouble you like that just because I was kidding. It’s just a shame that I might be drinking you under the table tonight in such a lovely outfit.”
As she motioned toward the bar Vic explained how she was buying since she left him back at Hogsmeade and all. Sounding not as happy as she had a moment ago. She might still feel bad about the situation but Jim didn’t. She had a duty after all and he was just stuck somewhere. Vic could do far better work somewhere else than sitting around waiting for help for him. “Please, you act like you’re the first girl I’ve ever fallen for. Granted this time was through an actual floor but it hurt about the same as the others.” Jim said with another laugh trying to make it obvious he bared no grudge or felt bad in anyway that she had to leave him behind. ”I still will accept the drinks though.” Jim added follow. Vic toward the bar.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 4, 2019 14:44:32 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2019 14:44:32 GMT -7
He was quiet for a second or two and she felt her face get a little warm. Maybe they weren't ready to joke about dates yet. He eventually joined in the joke though, saying that Jim was copying him in the mirror and that he wasn't nearly as nervous as he should be. She shrugged, "I kind of like the small talk, especially if the weather is terrible. Then people get all nervous and don't know how to answer," she laughed. He said she looked great and didn't want the trouble because he was kidding, and she wondered for a moment why he specified that. Then she caught on to the people around them. She was Victoire Weasley and people didn't really ignore when she was in a room. "Hah! Well, we'll be seeing about that drinking under the table bit," she challenged. In reality she was a lightweight, especially after being sick. She was incredibly thin, so it was hard not to be. "And if I do end up under the table I have good stain remover, so who cares?" she added.
His comment about 'falling' for her and comparing his pain to the pains of real heartbreak made her grin. "Different kinds of pain but both still very, very real," she agreed. She was going along with the joke, sure, but it also was true. She had experienced a great deal of heartbreak in her life too, and physical breaks. They reached the bar and he said he'd take the drinks. She lifted herself onto a stool and waived over the bartender that night. "Oh, Andy, hey," her eyes widened slightly at the member of Heliopath. She did not look good. Victoire knew now wasn't the time to talk to her about it, so she just ordered herself a sparkling wine and gestured to Jim, "I'm buying whatever he's having," she explained. Andy moved to take his order, and Vic could see she was resisting the urge to raise an eyebrow at her. Vic glared at her, then smiled at Jim.
@jim
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 4, 2019 17:27:04 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2019 17:27:04 GMT -7
Vic explained how she enjoyed small talk and explained why which caused Jim to laugh for a moment. “I’ll leave you to do all the small talk then, I’ll provide the awkward nervous answers. Sounds like a fair deal?” Jim asked jokingly. If she wanted the role of starting any small talk she could gladly have it. Vic challenged him by saying they would see who would bring drinking who under any table. “I’ll make sure to repeat this words to you just before you start to pass out but at least you're prepared for it to happen.” Jim teased, unsure that they would even come close to drinking that much but it was still just fun to joke around. It was interesting how there meet ups had been running into each other at the ministry, fighting dragons and now getting drinks.
“Tell me about it. I didn’t really have to go to St.Mungo for the other times but this time certainly healed faster than the others.” They both seemed to be speaking from experience when it came to heartache. The most reach one was coming to terms with the fact that he did indeed have feelings for Pam. Of course this was after she had left some months ago. Now he just wished her the best in her new line of work. As they reached the bar Vic sat down and seemed to know the person behind the counter. She seemed familiar enough but Jim couldn’t really place her anywhere. He wasn’t that worried with trying to remember where he might have seen her from, it was possibly from past visited to the Leaky Cauldron. Jim sat down beside Vic and she ordered her drink before explaining to the girl that she would be covering him. “Yes, what’s the most expensive drink you have?” He said jokingly, “kidding, just firewhisky.” Jim quickly added before he caused either of them to think he was serious.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 21, 2019 6:56:59 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 21, 2019 6:56:59 GMT -7
He said he'd leave her to start the small talk and he'd just give the awkward answers. She grinned, nodding. "Deal. We'll start with the weather, go into careers again, maybe a little bit about family - if we get lucky," she suggested. He said he'd repeat her words of challenge about drinking right before she passed out so she was prepared and she glared at him, shaking her head. She didn't verbalize any further on the subject yet, they'd have to see how the night when down.
He said he healed faster with this sort of pain than with heartbreak and for a second she could see he had his own heartbreak to worry about, too. Her brow softened and she wanted to say something more real, but she didn't think this was the time or place. Instead she just gently touched his elbow as they moved to sit, hoping he recognized it as a comforting gesture.
He joked with Andy about taking the most expensive drink, and once Andy walked away to get the whisky Victoire whacked him lightly on the arm, "I'm unemployed, remember? Can't use me for my money," she joked. In reality she had a good deal to pull from, so she was quite alright for the time being. Andy brought the drinks back quickly and Vic held her glass up to Jim, "to living through a dragon attack and to falling," she suggested.
@jim
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 23, 2019 14:27:48 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2019 14:27:48 GMT -7
Jim laughed as she accepted his deal of her picking the small talk subjects and him giving the answers. “I hope we don’t get to families, mine is small and will take about a ten minutes to talk about. You’ll still be talking about the Weasley’s for the next few days.” Jim joked for a moment, it was well know that the Weasley family was a very large one with many different branches. Jim didn’t have very many relatives on both his mother and fathers side. That and they were living a very muggle life at that. Not many magical folk wanted to be bored with the day to day lives of muggles. After commenting about using her words against her Vic just glared at him for a moment, all Jim did was laugh again mostly joking about it. Still it was possibly he would remind her yet and if she was that drunk she probably would even remember it.
While talking about heartache Vic didn’t really reply, just touched his arm while they headed toward the bar. It was just part of life that one would run into relationship issues and even issues where no relationship had happened. Vic probably knew where he was coming from, which was reassuring in a way.
Vic gave him a playful punch while reminding him that she was still unemployed and that he couldn’t use her for money on expensive drinks. “You’re not going to say you left your money back in your other pretty dress when the tab comes are you?” Jim teased, he doubted Vic was hard up for money but he wasn’t here to take advantage of her and her offer for drinks either. Their drinks arrived and Jim still couldn’t place the bartender, finally just giving up for now as Vic grabbed her drink and held it up toward him. Toasting toward living through the dragon attack and falling. He raised his glass and tapped it to hers. “Thankfully you only did one of those, I can’t recommend attempting to do both.” Jim joked for a moment before drinking some of his firewhisky with the all too familiar feeling of his throat burning for a moment.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 23, 2019 15:18:33 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2019 15:18:33 GMT -7
He said that his family was small and wouldn't take much time to talk about, but that she could talk for days. She rolled her eyes, nodding. "You're right, let's avoid that one," she agreed. She was glad that they could make each other laugh. In the world they had now, there were so few opportunities for that. Once they were at the bar he questioned if she was going to pretend she left her money back in her other pretty dress. She rolled he eyes again and shook her head, "I keep my word, Jim," she explained. "Get used to it," she challenged him, as if they'd spend enough time together in the future for their to be something to get used to. It wasn't the worst idea, really. She enjoyed spending time with him more and more every time they did.
As she started the toast, he tapped his glass to hers. He said that 'thankfully' she only did one of those and that he didn't recommend doing both. She shrugged, "I've fallen plenty of times," she challenged, then took the swig of her own drink. She winced against the feeling of the alcohol and shook her head rapidly. "Whew," she paused, then took another sip. She nursed the drink further as they talked, until it was time for another one. "Okay," she started slowly, already buzzed, "tell me how the weather is, did you see that sky today? Talk about blue," it was winter. The sky was generally dark and cloudy.
@jim
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 24, 2019 15:28:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 15:28:28 GMT -7
Vic explained that they could avoid the topic of families and he just nodded. He didn’t mind talking about his family it was just they lived a normal muggle life. Some wizards found that interesting but most were bored or just didn’t want to know how muggles got on in life. Jim also doubted Victoire really wanted to go into detail about the Weasley family with how big and how long it would take. “Maybe when we have a week or so to kill.” Jim added with a small laugh. While at the bar Vic explained that she kept her word and he better get used to that. Jim just nodded, ”Yes ma’am. I do remember you saying you would knock me down one of these days to get me out of work for the day. I expect you to keep you’re word on that too.” Jim said jokingly bringing up how they first met back at the ministry.
“I don’t doubt it,” Jim replied as Vic said she had fallen plenty of times. “It’s almost a requirement with some of our out of work activities. Still avoid doing it through any second story floors.” Which was a fact for the first part, thankfully he had been able to avoid ever getting seriously hurt in any Ouroboros duties. Vic started to drink her wine before making a momentary noise then continued. Jim laughed as Vic had already started with the small talk conversations, starting with the weather. Asking about the sky and how blue it was. ”Blue? I don’t know what sky you got to see, all I saw was gray clouds. Where was all this blue sky and why was I not invited to see it?” Jim teased downing more of his firewhiskey, now comfortable with the burning sensation in his throat.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 25, 2019 11:50:34 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 11:50:34 GMT -7
He suggested they could talk about family if they had a week to kill, and Vic nodded. Then, he reminded her that part of keeping her word was that she would knock him out of having work one day. She pointed at him. "Oh, you are right! I do owe you that. Just name the day and we'll make it happen," she promised. Back in the day she would never have suggested helping someone get out of work. It was a testament to how much she had changed that she would even joke about something like that. The fact that was actually considered convincing him to skip out of work for a day of fun was unheard of. But here she was, considering it.
He said he didn't doubt her falling before, due to the things they did in their spare time for their respective groups of anarchy - or whatever they were. "I was meaning in the romantic sense," she laughed, continuing to drink until it was gone and another one was placed before her. Jim commented that the sky he saw was gray and she laughed, more buzzed by the second. "You were too busy managing pageants. Patients. Patents," she shook her head, leaning toward him. She lifted a hand in an attempt to tap his nose, but her aim was off.
@jim (You decide where she tapped him instead)
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 25, 2019 14:46:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 14:46:28 GMT -7
Jim couldn’t help but laugh as Vic began to remember what they talked about after first running into each other. She explained that he’d just need to pick the day and they could make it happen. “Sounds like a plan, I’ll for an extraordinarily boring day to call in that favor.” If only he knew what days would be awful and which days wouldn’t be half bad. He didn’t outright hate his job but it had its mind numbly boring parts he could do without. “Based on how hard you actually knock me down we’ll make a day out of it. Either doing something together or watching me knocked out on the floor.” Jim explained as spending a day with Vic was bound to be better than any day at work, as long as dragons weren’t involved again.
There was a moment where Jim was slightly embarrassed that he didn’t catch on to what Vic was talking about with romantically falling. “Sorry, well depending on how those went falling threw a floor might just be preferable.” Jim explained as he nursed his firewhiskey some more. After joking about the sky and Vic’s small talk he finished his firewhiskey, only for it to be filled once more by the bartender. Still giving them curious looks too. If anything she probably recognized Victoire, she was the former head of the ministry now drinking with some nobody. Probably not a sight many saw everyday. Vic claimed he had been too busy with his patents to come see the sky but not before getting the word patents wrong twice. He hadn’t expected her to start to get that buzzed from just a glass of wine but it was funny to see. He was hardly feeling the firewhiskey himself. She then proceeded to try to poke his nose he assumed yet instead landed on his lips. He gave a muffled laugh from behind his lips and moved her hand with his for a moment. “Well I’m sorry for being busy with work, it does get in the way a lot. Still if you want me to be quiet this will be a very awkward drinking night.” Jim joked still holding her hand not really noticing.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 25, 2019 18:07:25 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 18:07:25 GMT -7
He said he'd choose a boring work day to take the offer, and depending how hard she knocked him down they'd spend the day together. "I wouldn't want the day off to go to waste. Maybe we could go to Disney France or something," she suggested. She'd never been there, so it was kind of a serious idea. "And if I knock you down too hard I'll just push you in a wheelchair and we'll get to the front of all the lines," she reached a hand up to stroke her chin in thought.
He said falling through a floor might be more preferable to a romantic fall and she nodded, maybe a little too much. She had separated from Teddy and Royal over the last summer. Teddy, due to time apart. Royal, due to his joining ouroborus. The three of them were happy together, but the strain that came from Royal not taking her side wedged it's way through the relationships. And then there was Odette, but that was nipped in the bud before it even got a chance. And, of course, Seb. Her partner at the Ministry, her advisor, and someone she had fallen for very deeply and quickly. She furrowed her brows a little at the memory of them all, trying not to get swept up in it.
When her finger missed his nose and landed on his lips, she squinted her eyes as if trying to figure out what went wrong. Then he took her hand, pulling it away. He said he was sorry for working too much, and suggested she not sush him with her finger. "I wasn't sushing you. I was checking out soft your lips are. So I have accurate information if I'm to be your wingman or something," she argued. She reached her free hand to her glass to take another drink, then paused partway through, swallowing quickly. "Mm - you need to drink more. This isn't nearly celebratory enough. We should be inviting everyone," she turned toward the pub and raised her glass. "Next rounds on your former Minister!" she called out.
@jim
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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May 25, 2019 20:16:24 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 20:16:24 GMT -7
“Hey, that sounds like fun to me. It is one of the most magical places on earth if you ask any muggle. Have to see how it come pairs to Hogwarts I guess.” Jim joked as it was a decent idea if he really did end up with a day off for one reason or another either by being knocked down by Vic or they just had the same time available. He laughed again as she explained that him being knocked out would work also as she could get to the front of the lines with him in a wheelchair. “I’m glad I’ll be useful if I’m conscious or not. I would like to remember some of the trip so try and wake me up after you get your fill of all the rides.”
As he talked about romantically falling for someone Vic made an almost upset looking face before moving on. All the proof he needed to know that she had her own problems either now or in the past that she just remembered. Either way it wasn’t much of his business so he didn’t say anything. Better to not turn this night of getting drinks into trying to forget old flames.
Jim laughed still holding her hand for a moment as Vic explained she was just trying to see how soft his lips were as she might end up being his wingman at some point. “Oh yeah because that’s what all the ladies want to hear from another woman about a guy.” Jim said laughing now realizing he was still holding her hand and let go. “This guy has super soft lips and no I don’t know that because we kissed or something.” Jim added pretending that’s how it would go down. Vic was indeed getting more and more drunk just from her wine. Sure he had expected he would have actually won any drinking contest but he also didn’t expect that to really happen tonight or for it to be so soon.
Vic explained that he wasn’t drinking enough and it was hardly a celebration before yelling out the rest of the inn that the next round of drinks were on here. Jim just shook his head for a moment and had a quiet laugh, he was barely buzzed and Vic was already offering a round to the inn. “Well now I don’t feel as special as I did when you offered to take me out for drinks.” He teased for a moment before turning toward the bartender who was now walking around with even more work he imagined. “When you get the time I’ll take some rum instead of the firewhiskey, the stronger stuff please.” And with that he downed the last of his second firewhiskey.
@victoire
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last online Apr 25, 2024 3:34:37 GMT -7
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Jun 26, 2019 7:01:01 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2019 7:01:01 GMT -7
Jim said that Disney France sounded fun and that they'd have to see how it compared to Hogwarts. "Hogwarts isn't meant for fun, though. It's for school," she argued. She drank some more, not really sure how many glasses she was on now. He said he was glad he'd be useful for the wheelchair thing, but that he'd want to be conscious for some of it. "No, no. I'll knock you out here, so you break your leg, then you can be awake the whole time just... in the chair," she furrowed her brow, "but that might not be as fun for you."Jim still had her hand for a little longer, which felt nice. Whatever the nature of their new friendship was, it wasn't easy to deny that he was a nice presence to have around. She laughed at his comment, but then he released her hand and she frowned a little. Being tipsy made it impossible to hide her immediate emotions. He added, “This guy has super soft lips and no I don’t know that because we kissed or something.” She laughed again, then furrowed her brow. "That's a good point. I guess that would sound weird. I'd have to over explain and," she waved a hand, "it wouldn't work. Guess I need a new wingman approach. Though, I'm not sure I want any other girls sniffing around you," she joked (entirely serious). When she offered everyone drinks, he said he didn't feel special anymore and her eyes widened. "I'm sorry! You are special! I'll get you... a special hat!" she suggested. The rest of their time at the leaky kind of started to blur as they drank more and more. There were a lot of people there, probably also thinking about how they were glad to be alive after the crazy dragon attack. Somewhere in there Vic ended up talking to one of her old friends on the other side of the room, and just now noticed that she wasn't sure where she'd lost Jim in the place. She straightened up, looking around for him. @jim (skipped ahead a tad)
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