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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 26, 2011 23:43:47 GMT -5
Curse Kameren couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he leaned against the wall outside the muggle end of the Leaky Cauldron. He was dressed comfortably for a cooler London afternoon: jeans, a t-shirt and a worn blazer. Since he had received Arianna's reply to his invitation, he had been looking forward to this afternoon. It had taken a bit of planning; he had had to plan around his Cambridge classes and around Amelia's needs (it wasn't even his child she was pregnant with, but he still somehow found himself running errands), and especially around Max.
Curse still felt a little guilty. He had had to lie to Alex to get him to watch Max, telling him he had to go to Mungo's for the afternoon. It worked, and Alex was taking Max and Eden. The lie had been only minor, though, and telling Alex he needed someone to watch Max because of a date would have lead to unwanted questions.
The passersby of downtown London hardly noticed the tall, thin wizard where he stood against the Cauldron. The old bar had been where he and Arianna first met, so it was the perfect meeting place for their 'first' date. They were trying again, was it still their first date? They used to go out a lot, but things were different now. The feeling he was getting felt like it was new, another first date. The first date was always the most memorable.
Next to Curse's old sneakers on the pavement sat a picnic basket. That had been his plan; a sunny day in London was rare, they could stay out and enjoy it. He had spared Arianna the pain of his cooking, instead stopping at a sub-shop they'd liked and ordering a lunch for them. It wouldn't be a picnic without the basket, though.
Curse glanced up, a crooked grin growing across his face as a familiar figure appeared before him. "Hey," Curse embraced her, kissing her on the cheek in greeting. She was a little late, which merited some chiding. "For a moment there I thought you were standing me up..."
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 27, 2011 0:38:56 GMT -5
It had been a while since Arianna had been on a date. Not since the extremely awkward, supposed to be blind double dinner date with Alex Kameren. If you could call it a date. Just remembering that night made Arianna cringe. Did she really accuse Curse Kameren of having a gay lover? Yes, she did. Merlin, she'd be very wrong. The name Alex had flung in her face belonged to a very sweet boy named Max, not some pretty boy in feminine, tight clothing. Secondly, she knew for a fact that Curse Kamere was straight as a pole and still very much attracted to her. They had witness to boot. Another embarrassing chapter of their love story. But enough of the past, for part two was about to begin and she had to look perfect. Appearance was an important fact of life and could make of break the date. While she wasn't entirely sure what they were doing, she had an inkling that it would take place outside. So no skirts or short dresses, unless she wore leggings because it was rather windy. But would she look desperate if she wore a dress? Would it give Curse the impression that she wanted something. Not that she didn't, she was attracted to him and he knew it. Or was she reading to much into her outfit choice? Did it really matter? After trying on nearly her entire closet, Ari finally decided on a emerald sweater that hung slightly off the shoulders. A locket, on a thin gold chain dipped between the slight swells of cleavage showing. Tasteful yes sexy. A pair of comfy but form fitting jeans and her favorite boots rounded off the look. That and a dashing overcoat slung over her arm in case it got cold. Not that she didn't believe that Curse would keep her warm, it was best to be prepared. Besides, he could keep her warm with her coat on too.
The muggle traffic light was red agian, and Ari was impatiently waiting for it to turn green so she could cross the street. She was late. Why did she decide to take muggle transportation? The trains had been late for some reason or another, and well Ari had left a bit late due to her indecisiveness about her outfit. What if Curse left because she was late? Did he think she was running away again? Arianna did not want to repeat the same mistakes but she was ready to try again. Hopefully, Curse knew that.
Relief flooded through Ari when she spotted a very familiar figure leaning against the Cauldron. She stopped in front of him a large smile on her face. Her cheek tingled from his kiss and her bereft lips ached, but her brain chided her body. There was plenty of time for lip kisses.
"For a moment there I thought you were standing me up..."
"Never. But i'm not sure how these people do it. Trains were late, sorry. Were you waiting long?" She asked, not seeing the basket on the ground.
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 27, 2011 2:09:05 GMT -5
Curse's hands wrapped around Arianna's hips as they greeted each other, her warmth welcoming to him. She wore green. He'd always loved her in green, there was something about how that color mixed with her skin and her hair that just made him want to -- wait. Don't get ahead of yourself, Curse. It was only the beginning of their first date, they weren't ready for those thoughts yet. Even when he was thinking like that, he knew if they got to that point, this early on he might chicken out. It was best not to think about it.
"Were you waiting long?"
Curse shrugged, frowning playfully as he met Ari's gaze. "You know, not too long. Only a few hours." He chuckled, letting her go and taking her hand in one smooth motion as he picked up the picnic basket. "Have you eaten yet? I thought we'd have lunch." He held up the picnic basket, smirking. "Don't worry, I didn't cook anything..."
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 27, 2011 22:17:21 GMT -5
As deceptively, strong hands encircled her hips, usually ink stained fingers rested on his shoulders. It was as if through touch, they were transported off the busy London street and into their own universe populated by no one else. The sounds of traffic receded with each rapid beat of her heart. The typical London smell was erased by the aroma that was all Curse.
In their own little world they teased each other, enjoying the fearless day. There were no worries tugging at their minds. No demons to capture, pesky ministry minions to avoid and no pressing crisis to solve. This was their time, their second chance moment.
"You know, not too long. Only a few hours."
"Such a baby," She teased as they moved apart, yet were still connected through their hands. Everything seemed like a dance. Everything flowed together and for a second it was perfect.
"Real men can wait forever with out complain," She teased as she watched him swooped up a classic wooden basket. Her eyes lit up at the idea of a romantic picnic. It was old school, but sweet.
"Have you eaten yet? I thought we'd have lunch." He held up the picnic basket, smirking. "Don't worry, I didn't cook anything..."
Ari laughed, he'd read her mind. Her eyebrows had raised at the thought of Curse cooking. Max had told her about the burning pancakes. "You know, if you didn't leave the kitchen every time you cooked you might actually make something that isn't burnt. And I haven't eaten. Where to Sherlock?"
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 28, 2011 13:30:07 GMT -5
"You know, if you didn't leave the kitchen every time you cooked you might actually make something that isn't burnt."
Curse arched a brow at Arianna, smiling wryly. "Who told you about the pancakes, Max or Amelia?" He chuckled; cooking was probably Curse's greatest weakness. There was just something that didn't click with him when he picked up a cookbook. It sounded similar to potions, but when he actually tried it they were nothing alike.
"And I haven't eaten. Where to Sherlock?"
Curse frowned as he thought about it. They were in the middle of downtown London: not too many parks or places to picnic. He knew of a dog park a few blocks down, but if there was anything he learned from Alex's dog Rasputin, it was smart to avoid dogs when you had food. How had the thought of having a picnic been such a good one, then he never decided where the picnic would be? A clever basket does not a picnic make, after all: you needed a place to have it as well.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't really know of that many parks this far into London. Here," Curse wrapped an arm around Arianna's waist, pulling her into the alley with him. He smiled at her before quickly turning on his heel. Pop.
They ended up at the Regent's garden, a large park just outside the city. It was a beautiful park, and a very popular one for regular Londoners, as Curse once had been. The green grass expanded out from the path they'd apparated onto. Perfect place for a picnic. "There, that's better," He smiled, taking Arianna's hand as they walked.
They found a good place between two trees, with the branches from both spreading over them to give just enough cover in case it rained (as always in London), but just enough sunlight to keep it from getting too cold. Curse set down the basket as they sat, opening it to reveal their lunch; he had packed two sandwiches from a shop the used to frequent, some berries, some chips, and two water bottles. It lacked the wholesome-ness of something cooked, but then again, whatever Curse would have cooked probably wouldn't have been too wholesome either way.
Curse cracked open a water bottle as he handed the other to Arianna. "So, what have you been up to since the dreaded night Amelia and Peter found us," Curse smiled playfully, still a little embarrassed at having Amelia and Peter walk in on them snogging. They were the last ones he had wanted to know about their second chance, so ironically they became the first.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 30, 2011 21:21:14 GMT -5
"Who told you about the pancakes, Max or Amelia?" Ari grinned a conspiratorial look in her eye. "I cannot reveal my sources.." She deadpanned before laughing. It was a simple but enjoyable moment. With Curse, Ari could be care free for just a little while. She was younger out here with him. The constant pressure to be seriously perfect was absent. Here, she could say odd things and actually make a joke without someone questioning her sanity or right to be in her position in Mysteries.
"And I haven't eaten. Where to Sherlock?" "To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't really know of that many parks this far into London. Here,"
Sometimes magic made life easier. With a small laugh, Ari wrapped her own arm around Curse's waist, and together they walked into the alleyway. With a spin they were gone. The world spun for just a moment and Ari closed her eyes. She did not like watching as the world turned inside out. Then suddenly her feet touched soft, but still solid ground. Ari opened her eyes to see fields of grass instead of cement sidewalks. They were in a garden.
"There, that's better," "It's beautiful, where exactly are we?" She asked, as she linked her fingers with his, gently swinging their combined hands as they walked. There were very few people in this section. It was lovely.
Nestled between a couple of trees, they sat down, facing each other. Ari took the offered water bottle laughing at herself as she struggled to open it. After a few tries she managed to get it open, spilling a little bit of water. Muggles had a talent for making things difficult to open.
"So, what have you been up to since the dreaded night Amelia and Peter found us,"
"Plotting revenge," She said with a sweet smile. Really, if she didn't get it into Peter's think skull that she was a grown woman and deserved her own privacy then he will keep coming into her apartment unannounced. The man had actually thought she was still a virgin.
"Actually, I've mostly been doing research for Echo. A few of the results have come back in, narrowing the origin of magic to a small time frame. What about you?"
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 2, 2011 3:41:17 GMT -5
Arianna gripped Curse tighter as the disapparation pulled at them and he smiled. Curse always loved the rush apparating gave him, though he knew Arianna wasn't as fond of it. It was amazing, being able to turn in one place and touch the ground in another. Curse had never splinched before, so the magic still wasn't lost on him. They touched ground again on the grass of Regent's Park in inner London. His smile grew when Arianna opened her eyes with wonder.
"It's beautiful, where exactly are we?"
Curse looked around, swinging the basket as Arianna did with his other hand. "Regent's Park. I want to say we're somewhere near the circle. I figured we wouldn't want to get too near the zoo, too many people."
An area between two trees was where they couple made their temporary home. Curse cracked open a water bottle as he handed the other to Arianna. Curse arched a playful brow at Arianna as she struggled with the water bottle, dutifully holding out a hand it if she admitted defeat. He applauded when she finally got it open, smirking cheekily.
"So, what have you been up to since the dreaded night Amelia and Peter found us?" He laughed, still a little embarrassed by their unfortunate meeting. Never had Curse expected to get into a fist fight with Peter Beauregard.
"Plotting revenge," She said with a sweet smile.
"Can I get in on that? Amelia's making me pay for that meeting already," Curse shook his head, rummaging in the basket for his sandwich. He hoped had remembered correctly Arianna's favorite from the sandwich shop, but he wasn't sure. If it wasn't right, they could trade. "The only thing worse than regular Amelia is pregnant Amelia. The woman's a time bomb. Max refuses to live with her until she calms down." Curse took a bite of his sandwich, shrugging as he chewed. Amelia was usually a little off, but hormones had recently pushed her over the deep end. And there were still eight months left to go. Good luck, Peter.
"Actually, I've mostly been doing research for Echo. A few of the results have come back in, narrowing the origin of magic to a small time frame. What about you?"
Curse shrugged simply. "Max." That was all that needed saying, really, but Curse decided to elaborate. "His magic is developing really, really quickly. He can't control it yet, so whenever he gets excited about something it turns into a duel." Curse ran a hand through his hair, stressed just thinking about it. The Kameren household had become a war zone. One moment everything would be fine, the next the cat would be floating around the room and the sofa would be on fire. "One of my students who's a year ahead of him is always over as well, and together they're even a boggart's worst nightmare. At this point I don't know if getting him a wand is going to get it under control, or make it worse." None of Curse's prior training as a wizard or an auror had prepared him for raising a young wizard of his own. Developing powers were messy, especially for a wizard apparently as powerful as Max. All Curse could do was pick up the mess after it happened.
"As far as Echo's case, though, I've been talking to Tynan and Magical Creatures, and we think we have a good argument sorted out for the Wizengamot. We're just waiting on the trial. It should be next week." The professor too a sip of his water bottle, meeting Arianna's eyes for a moment as he spoke.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 6, 2011 20:08:03 GMT -5
There were very few people about, most exploring other areas of the park. Cruse had picked a lovely area and Ari couldn't help but smile. Here, away from the city, it was easy to imagine that they were just getting to know each other. If she closed her eyes she could pretend she was in a different era.
"Regent's Park. I want to say we're somewhere near the circle. I figured we wouldn't want to get too near the zoo, too many people."
"Daring choice," She teased. The muggle zoo was sure to be crowded, filled with laughing children and screaming animals. She'd often take herself there as a child when her mother needed time alone. It had been a safe place.
Finally the wretched bottle opened. Ari grinned when Curse applauded her. She waved her hand in a mocking bow as she bent slightly forward at the waist. She had been tempted to fling water at him but that would have started a war. She'd save that for later.
Talk turned to recent events and Ari laughed when Curse asked to be a part of her revenge on her cousin in law.
"The only thing worse than regular Amelia is pregnant Amelia. The woman's a time bomb. Max refuses to live with her until she calms down."
Ari took her own sandwich as Curse told her about Amelia. He'd remembered correctly and she smiled at his thoughtfulness. It had been ages since she had one of their sandwiches. It tasted delightful and made her nearly forget what they were taking about.
"I highly doubt she will calm down. It seems to me she enjoys drama, and being pregant gives her an excuse to indulge."She commented before taking a bite. Really, Amelia was a handful and Ari was starting to wonder what peter saw in her. She was a lovely woman, but a very trying one and not that mature. She knew what the teenager Kris Kameren had seen, a very pretty girl. But that was in the past.
"Actually, I've mostly been doing research for Echo. A few of the results have come back in, narrowing the origin of magic to a small time frame. What about you?"
"max""His magic is developing really, really quickly. He can't control it yet, so whenever he gets excited about something it turns into a duel."
Ari grinned at the thought of ten year old Max having a magical stare down with his father. It wasn't a surprise to learn that Max was powerful, look at his father. But it was rather early for him, didn't the boy just turn ten? But he was going to Hogwarts a year early, she recalled.
"One of my students who's a year ahead of him is always over as well, and together they're even a boggart's worst nightmare. At this point I don't know if getting him a wand is going to get it under control, or make it worse."
Ari patted his hand sympathetically. Curse was an amazing father. Not many parents would allow another's child to be over all the time, especially if they were a handful.
"well, if there is anything you think I could help with let me know. Have you tried a containment spell? It won't stop his powers, but it could prevent his magic from leaking out of the house."
"As far as Echo's case, though, I've been talking to Tynan and Magical Creatures, and we think we have a good argument sorted out for the Wizengamot. We're just waiting on the trial. It should be next week." T
"That's good news. Will I be needed to testify?"
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 7, 2011 20:38:19 GMT -5
"I highly doubt she will calm down. It seems to me she enjoys drama, and being pregant gives her an excuse to indulge."
The couple ate, and Curse shrugged as he chewed. He swallowed before his reply. "I don't know, she used to be fun. You never knew what she was going to say or do. I suppose that's still true," He shrugged again, popping a chip in his mouth from the basket as he continued, "but then again, I haven't known her for a while. I can see why she gets tense around me, though. The bloke that knocked you up and disappeared for eight years, I'd dislike me too." As much as he loved Max, dealing with Amelia at times was tiring. She was a very complex woman, much more so than she seemed. Curse knew that the old Amelia was around there somewhere, but he didn't expect to see her again. He was sure Peter knew, though. He was glad for the both of them.
Curse laughed as Arianna grinned at his description of the Kameren household. It did sound a little off, a magical stand-off between the seasoned ex-auror and his ten-year-old son. But with a dark wizard, there was a motive. With his cases he could tell when and where something would happen. With Max's powers, there was no warning. Anything could set the boy off.
"well, if there is anything you think I could help with let me know. Have you tried a containment spell? It won't stop his powers, but it could prevent his magic from leaking out of the house."
He smiled. "Thanks." His hand caught hers when she patted him, his long fingers interlocking with hers. "I might need you to watch him again soon. I have to go back in next month for the blood-purging thing." He frowned, rubbing the scruff on his chin as he thought about how to describe the procedure he was going for. "It's not like that, it... It's what I was there for the night your mum escaped. I have to do it again next month, and I'll need someone to watch Max. I don't like having him there when I'm in that much pain, he doesn't need to see it." Curse shrugged, squeezing Arianna's hand lightly as he half-smiled.
"Oh, and that reminds me: did you talk to Max about Aimee?" Curse arched a brow at Ari, leaning a bit forward. His face was still light and calm; he wasn't angry about her comments to Max, just curious. "Next time you hit a subject like that with him, make sure I know. I got some uncomfortable questions the other day." He sighed, looking down as he stroked Arianna's interlocked hand with his thumb. Curse wasn't very eager to share his auror stories with Max yet, especially the horrible ones, but he also didn't want to lie to him. Max asking him about being tortured blindsided him. He had answered as best he could, but it was difficult explaining such terrible things to a child. Curse didn't want to share such things with his child.
"As far as Echo's case, though, I've been talking to Tynan and Magical Creatures, and we think we have a good argument sorted out for the Wizengamot. We're just waiting on the trial. It should be next week."
"That's good news. Will I be needed to testify?"
Curse laid back in the grass, squinting up at the bright sky as he smiled. "I'm not sure, but you should definitely be there and be ready if we need you. We're basing most of the argument in Magical Creatures, though. We want to avoid the demon end of it as much as possible. The Wizengamot's easily swayed by wording." He sighed, bringing Arianna's hand to his lips and kissing it before dropping their hands back in the grass.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 13, 2011 23:01:56 GMT -5
Lunch was a normal quite affair. A soft breeze carried the perfume of roses from the gardens adding to the romance. For some reason the basic food tasted amazing. It might have been the heightened awareness that floated around Ari and Curse like a bubble. Or it was just really good food, or the fact that they were on a date made everything that much better. Hard to tell.
"I don't know, she used to be fun. You never knew what she was going to say or do. I suppose that's still true," He shrugged again, popping a chip in his mouth from the basket as he continued, "but then again, I haven't known her for a while. I can see why she gets tense around me, though. The bloke that knocked you up and disappeared for eight years, I'd dislike me too."
Ari tilted her head slightly in agreement. Curse was right, it was easy to sympathize with anyone who was left to raise a child on there own. Wait, "I thought Amelia kept Max a secret and didn't tell you until recently," She asked as it popped into her mind. Amelia wouldn't have the right to dislike Curse if she hadn't told him that she was pregant in the first place. While he might be a wizard he couldn't read her mind.
"I might need you to watch him again soon. I have to go back in next month for the blood-purging thing." He frowned, rubbing the scruff on his chin as he thought about how to describe the procedure he was going for. "It's not like that, it... It's what I was there for the night your mum escaped. I have to do it again next month, and I'll need someone to watch Max. I don't like having him there when I'm in that much pain, he doesn't need to see it."
Arianna loved Max Kameren like a son but she wasn't sure she was the most qualified person to watch him. Really, Ari was beginning to think she wasn't very good with children. While she yearned for her own offspring she had little experience with kids. And it showed. Still if things were going to continue with her and Cruse she would have to learn and what better way to learn than baby sitting?
"I'll be glad to watch him, but are you sure I'm the best person?" She asked the torture conversation still fresh in her mind. Sometimes Arianna could be a bit idiotic. Who told a ten year old about torture? Maybe Max hadn't told Curse about that little tidbit. Surely if he knew he wouldn't allow her alone with his son again.
"Oh, and that reminds me: did you talk to Max about Aimee?"
Ari nodded, an apologetic smile on her face. She had regretted the words as soon as she had told Max. Not telling him about her own mental mother, but telling him how she became that way.
"Next time you hit a subject like that with him, make sure I know. I got some uncomfortable questions the other day."
"Sorry, I wanted to let him know he wasn't alone and that I knew a little about what he is going through and well I let slip that she was like she is because she was tortured. As soon as I said the words I knew he was too young to know and I am sorry but I--I don't like lying." Ari said a bit apprehensive.
Ari was thankful when the conversation turned to Echo. A much safer subject
"I'm not sure, but you should definitely be there and be ready if we need you. We're basing most of the argument in Magical Creatures, though. We want to avoid the demon end of it as much as possible. The Wizengamot's easily swayed by wording."
"Alright. Couldn't we make the case that she's similar to a werewolf? We don't destroy people with that ability why should we do so with someone bitten by a demon..."
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 14, 2011 1:32:42 GMT -5
"I thought Amelia kept Max a secret and didn't tell you until recently," She asked.
"I was in Italy by the time she knew she was pregnant." Curse shrugged simply; it wasn't a matter of Amelia keeping Max a secret from him, so much as that she just couldn't find him. Curse had vanished deep into Wizarding society by that point, and by the time he came home no one called him Kris any longer. Muggles couldn't contact Wizards very easily, the Ministry made sure of it. By the time Amelia could secure Curse's contact information and address, eight years had passed. He didn't blame her for it, he couldn't blame her for anything. Underneath all the argumentativeness and passive-aggression, Curse and Amelia secretly liked each other.
It went without saying that Curse was uncomfortable with talking to Max about torture. Hell, he was uncomfortable with talking to Alex about it, and he was an auror too. Though Curse wasn't tortured into insanity like Aimee Blackthorn, it was still a scarring experience he didn't like to revisit. Revisiting any memories brought him on edge; he worried about starting another episode, trapping himself in those memories. But when Max asked, Curse would answer. He wouldn't lie to his son about what he's done. He'll avoid certain topics if he can, but he wouldn't lie.
"Sorry, I wanted to let him know he wasn't alone and that I knew a little about what he is going through and well I let slip that she was like she is because she was tortured. As soon as I said the words I knew he was too young to know and I am sorry but I--I don't like lying."
"It's fine, I don't want you to lie to him for me." His fingers squeezed Arianna's reassuringly when he noticed the guilt on her face. There were a lot of tricky things about parenthood, like knowing what to say and when, that could only be learned from experience. Merlin knew Curse had had a rocky start, to say the least. Arianna didn't have a child, so she didn't know these things. Curse didn't blame her for it, he knew one day she would. "Next time, just give me a heads-up; that way, I'll know when he'll have questions." It wasn't that she told him that bothered Curse, it bothered him that He had had torture questions sprung upon him without warning. He hated revisiting those stories, especially so soon after a bad day.
The conversation turned quickly from parenting to work. Curse and Ari were on the same case, after all: getting Echo freed. The court date was looming closer, but Curse was getting more and more confident that they could free her. In his discussions with Magical Creatures, Curse had found (not surprisingly) that Daksmer had arrested Echo on absolutely no grounds.
"Alright. Couldn't we make the case that she's similar to a werewolf? We don't destroy people with that ability why should we do so with someone bitten by a demon..."
"That's basically what we're doing," Curse nodded, stroking Ari's hand with his thumb as he spoke, "We're using the 'Beast' versus 'Being' debate. We're arguing that since Echo is still mentally fitting the definition of 'Being', then our rights and laws apply to her. If she was so far gone that she couldn't mentally function in the Wizarding World, then Daksmer had a right to take her in." Curse felt uncomfortable at the mention, his shoulders tensing guiltily. He had had to take in cursed individuals before. It disgusted him then, and still did now. He never inquired as to what happened to the individuals (they were no longer 'beings', but he refused to call them 'beasts') once they were taken in. He knew enough horrible secrets about the Ministry for a lifetime, he didn't need more.
Curse crunched up his sandwich wrapper with his free hand, tossing it back in the picnic basket. He did the same with Arianna's, stealing a quick peck on the cheek as he leaned in toward her to grab it. He closed the picnic basket, smiling crookedly. "Well, that's about how far in I planned this date." He chuckled, people-watching the few passersby on the path a few meters away. "Now what?"
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 14, 2011 22:49:03 GMT -5
"I was in Italy by the time she knew she was pregnant." Which meant Curse was out of contact. Ari acknowledge Amelia's inability to reach Curse with a soft ah. It made sense now. Curse felt guilty that he wasn't any where, where amelia could reach him. For a brief moment, Ari wondered what life would have been like if Curse hadn't been in Italy when Amelia learned of Max. Would Curse and Amelia be married? Would Curse have been in the bar that day and walked Ari home? Funny, how one little event could change a life.
As the talk turned to torture, Ari put down her food. She found herself no longer hungry. Just thinking about Curse being hurt made goosebumps pebble on her skin. She hadn't meant to cause trouble when she had told Max.
"Next time, just give me a heads-up; that way, I'll know when he'll have questions."
"Right, it must have been a blow out of left field when he asked you those questions," She said softly, returning the hand squeeze. Curse was amazing. Many parents would have been more than angry with Ari for bringing up such a sensitive subject.
It was a bit difficult to concentrate on the conversation as Curse stroked her hand but Ari managed. The puzzle surrounding Echo was like a siren call to Ari. She couldn't help but try and figure it out, see what facts she could glean from it.
"That's basically what we're doing," Curse nodded, stroking Ari's hand with his thumb as he spoke, "We're using the 'Beast' versus 'Being' debate. We're arguing that since Echo is still mentally fitting the definition of 'Being', then our rights and laws apply to her. If she was so far gone that she couldn't mentally function in the Wizarding World, then Daksmer had a right to take her in."
Curse tensed and somehow Ari knew that he blamed himself. As auror he must have had to bring in demon infected individuals. "Curse, sometimes fate is cruel and it's necessary to bring those people in. They are not themselves and only harm other and themselves. It's necessary, even though it's unpleasant to bring them to the ministry. Maybe my department can find a cure with Echo's help."
Then the seriousness was broken and Curse pecked her on the cheek. Ari smiled, amused.
"Well, that's about how far in I planned this date." He chuckled, people-watching the few passersby on the path a few meters away. "Now what?"
"we could walk around and play a game," She said with a coy smile as she leaned in towards him, her eyes sparkling.
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 15, 2011 19:48:55 GMT -5
"we could walk around and play a game"
Curse reflected her coy smile with one of his own, meeting her halfway as she leaned in and finally kissing her on the lips. Her lips were even sweeter than he remembered, a smile tipping the corners of his mouth upward as he kissed her. Every day she was a little more beautiful, a little sweeter. Always, always too good for him. He would never understand why she had chose him, but he was thankful for it.
They parted again, Curse smiling and meeting her sparkling dark eyes. "So," his crooked smile gently grew across his face, "What is this game you'd like to play? He stood, lending a helping hand to help Arianna upwards as he scooped up the picnic basket once again.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 16, 2011 0:39:09 GMT -5
Heaven was made out of candy bars and kisses. They were after all the better parts of life and heaven was supposed to be well heavenly. And it can't be haven without the good stuff. Kissing Curse Kameren never got old. There was something knew to be learned and something to be enjoyed, never boring. Comforting sometimes, but never dull. To think she almost missed out on this, these kinds of moments.
Sometimes, in her more darker moments, Ari wondered why Curse took her back. Her record was far from clean and there was no guarantee that they'd work. Then where would they be? She had left him when he needed her most, had run scared without a backwards glance. What did that say about who she really was? Her character? Yet, he was with her, kissing her, giving her another chance. Curse Kameren was a far better person than Arianna.
"What is this game you'd like to play?
Placing her hand in his, eyes sparkling, Ari rose. "It's a simple game. For every letter of the alphabet we take turns coming up with something to do either together or dare the other person to try. Like A is for art, and we go to an art museum or something. We each get three passes, which made the other person have to do it... I read it in a muggle magazine and thought it might be a bit of fun," She said with a little shrug.
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 16, 2011 2:31:48 GMT -5
"It's a simple game. For every letter of the alphabet we take turns coming up with something to do either together or dare the other person to try. Like A is for art, and we go to an art museum or something. We each get three passes, which made the other person have to do it... I read it in a muggle magazine and thought it might be a bit of fun"
To be honest, for a moment Curse was a bit disappointed when Arianna's game was as innocent as ABC's, but he wasn't going to voice or show it. Their entwined hands swung between them again as they meandered down the park path. "Sounds fun," he smiled, his eyes rolling upwards as he tried to think of something for them to do.
A... Curse whistled the alphabet song for a second as he thought about something to start with 'A'. The only A he could think of was Arianna, but listing her in a game as 'something to do' might be rewarded with a slap in the face. "Hmm..." He bit his lip, smiling crookedly as an idea came to him.
The Professor looked around quickly, making sure no one was around before he dropped the basket. He leaned forward onto the balls of his feet, letting himself fall forward. As he moved, he changed in the blink of an eye; where the tall, pale Curse Kameren once stood, now sat a small black cat. The creature eyed Arianna with round emerald eyes. He purred, weaving around the witch's feet before hopping up on the bench right next to them. In a blink of an eye, he was back to human form, sitting on the bench. Well, mostly.
"Shit," Curse swore, his hand immediately going up to his right eye when he felt part of him hadn't changed back. The eyes, it was always the bloody eyes. It was his punishment for attempting the transformation so young; he had failed the initial transformation, and his further transformations were doomed to repeat it. He scowled, putting down his hand. In the bright sunlight, the pupil of his cat-eye was a mere slit, very noticeable in the muggle world.
"Sorry, I'm fine. I'll get it back to normal eventually." He sighed, standing up and picking up the picnic basket again. He tried to meet her eyes again, but didn't feel comfortable. It was a bit weird, seeing her from both his cat perspective and his human one at the same time. He took her hand, though, squinting his eyes as a jogger passed by to keep them from noticing. "I suppose 'B' should probably be 'Back to the Wizarding World', then..."
ooc: Perhaps C could be their destination? Sorry, I totally stole 2 letters.
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