|
|
Post by Reckony Pike on May 6, 2011 22:02:02 GMT -5
Reckony's eyes darted sideways from the cigar perched between his lips, his brow furrowing in intense interest. Were it not for the length of the preceding week, he might be less amused by the penmanship of the man before him, but Monday thru Friday had been a study in mind-blowing monotony and the barkeep longed to be entertained.
He started by smoking cigars, which was a past-time he had previously reserved for special celebrations and bizarre talks with Potions professors. This was his fourth of the week and he was only now coming to realize that he had purchased a poor batch from the crotchety old bird in Diagon. He was practically smoking hay.
But his present company was actually providing him with something worth noting, and that was his quillwork. Reckony tossed his cigar in to the adjacent fireplace and set his gaze upon Theo Bowre's perfect all caps.
"You write impossibly neat, Theodore."
If Reckony was hoping for a symphony of conversation, he was greatly disappointed. The younger fellow sitting across from him hardly looked up to acknowledge the semi-compliment; he simply continued to focus on the task at hand, which was to reconcile his account with the Three Broomsticks. Reckony thought the man was rather like a calculator: he took sums from one column, subtracted them from another and at one particularly intriguing point added a percentage. Reckony liked watching Theo. He liked watching him because he knew what lay on the other side of that particular, methodical nature.
"You are impossibly silent, Theodore."
...
"You are impossibly serious. Thedore."
...
"Theodore, I think I love you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Theo Bowre on May 6, 2011 23:03:34 GMT -5
"You are impossibly silent, Theodore."
"You are impossibly serious. Thedore."
"Theodore, I think I love you."
With more frustration than he actually felt, Theo clenched his quill in his fist and set it upon the table, levelling Reckony with a solid, "I'm bothered" glare. He pushed the completed parchment in the barkeep's direction and reached in to his discarded jacket to pull out a not-insignificant satchel of coins.
"I was concentrating," his reply was much softer than his actions, "and I'm adding an extra 100 galleons from this month forward. We have a few new additions." He placed the pouch on top of the invoice and settled in his seat for the first time since stepping inside the establishment earlier that afternoon. Theo met with Reckony Pike on the last Friday of each month, settling the account he had set up for the children in his care. He pre-paid a monthly tab and was prepared to cover any overages, although there never seemed to be any.
Theo took several, silent deep breaths before breaking his facade with a knowing smirk that was much more age-appropriate. It was an expression shared amongst mates - Theo having considered Reckony a best friend for several years - and it said, in no fewer words, I read you like the dirty dailies of the Daily Prophet. Theo watched his the stein he spun in clockwise circles and then looked up, his eyes exposing an increasing mirth.
"So there were demons, a gypsy, a professor and a barkeep."
|
|
|
|
Post by Reckony Pike on May 6, 2011 23:30:58 GMT -5
"WRONG. You are wrong, old boy. There were two gypsies, but only one of them is worth mentioning. The other was a couple wild horses short of a stampede."
Reckony shifted in his seat, preparing for his version of the Hogsmeade Demon story and coming almost half-way across the table in his enthusiasm. He began with the coven karaoke, proceeded through his meeting with a renown Potions Master, bickered through his recollection of Star Cloak, highlighted a small Irish man, and then charged through to the climax with mention of the demons outside his bar.
"The gypsies had knives. Curse Kameren was stoic. I lost my bat in a ferocious battle and was left with nothing more than cobbles. There was a struggle, blood was shed, several of us were injured and - and, well, we were obviously victorious. We saved the village! Perhaps your brother should Knight us, although the gypsy worth mentioning would best be suited a La-"
The barkeep stammered. His eyes widened.
Lady. The gypsy. The gypsy Lady.
Suddenly caught in an intense realization that almost certainly caused him pain, Reckoned fell back in to his chair and turned to look at Theo, his expression grave as though he were about to tell him the cat had died.
"Lady. My God...I forgot to get her name!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on May 14, 2011 13:24:14 GMT -5
The door to the pub opened as a short, lean figure darted in and shut it behind him. Looking around the room with urgency, Ralin raced over to the bar and expertly rolled to the floor behind it. Poking his head above the bar, the Irish young man signaled to the two men to keep quiet.
"I'm not here!" He whispered loudly, then ducked behind the bar again just as the pub door swung open again.
Three burly thugs marched into the tavern, heavy brows set in a perpetual frown.
"He's in 'ere somewheres boss," one of the cronies growled. "I dun saw him come in here, I think."
"Shut it, idiot." The ringleader smacked the man on the side of the head. "You dun know nothin'. We gotta find that brat."
"Heh heh yeah," the other man chuckled darkly.
"You," the leader pointed a meaty finger at Theo and Reckony. "Did you see a kid run in here, short, red head. You'd better answer me." The big thug loomed threateningly over the two men.
|
|
|
|
Post by Theo Bowre on May 14, 2011 13:54:25 GMT -5
"Lady. My God...I forgot to get her name!"
Theo smiled at his humbled friend, shaking his head at what had become a habit of Reckony Pike's: acting first, asking questions later. It wasn't always a bad thing but more often than not, Reckony would find he had missed something important and Theo would spend the next several weeks trying to soothe the barkeep's ego. "Not to worry, Reck." "I'm sure it won't matter, Reck." "You're an idiot." A large part of Theo's merriment came from what he knew that Reckony did not and that was due in large part to his being the opposite: asking questions first and then acting on good authority. Theo took the evidence from his brother's office, added his meeting with Maebh at the May Day fair, and called a spade a spade.
Pike hated Theo's patience. He called him "The Interrogator."
"Her name is Maebh Breandan. And you are not to touch a hair on her lovely head or I'll kill you. She's too good for you." Theo accompanied his comment with a knowing glint in the eye, completely aware that Reckony intended to do otherwise. He had to get his jab in, although in reality, he cared deeply for both Maebh and Reck. They would make a handsome couple. And a passionate one. There was fire on fire if he ever saw it. "Did you know she works a shop here? It's an apo-"
Theo's concentration was interrupted by a sudden (petite) bolt of auburn, that darted behind the bar as though it were the front line. He glanced quickly to Reckony, looking for some sign that this was abnormal.
Suddenly, a head.
"I'm not here!"
And then three burly beasts. Theo's brow furrowed when he realized that the young man using Reckony's bar as a cover was possibly a victim of the stooges, who seemed hell-bent on finding the chap and perhaps doing harm. That wouldn't do.
In such an instance, his general rule had a footnote:
"Ask questions first then act on good authority, unless an innocent is in trouble."
He didn't know the young man from Adam, but 3 bulls against a bumblebee hardly seemed fair.
"Okay," Theo placed his stout on the table and began to rise from his seat. "Here we go." He looked to Reckony for back up and then turned towards the man demanding the kid's whereabouts.
"We better answer you or what? I'm sorry: it's usually customary to start a conversation with 'Good Evening,'" Theo leaned over to whisper, "This is where you say, Good Evening," And then louder, "and you introduce yourself and your acquaintances." Whisper. "Say your names." Louder. "You state your purpose for being here, apologize for the manner of your entry, pose your question, and then my friend and I kindly reply: No. No, we haven't seen a kid run in here. Short. Red hair."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on May 14, 2011 14:09:27 GMT -5
The thugs obviously hadn't expected the man to stand up to him, let along lecture him. The leader's brain slowly absorbed this, one could almost see the synapses firing ponderously. "Uh..." the message from brain to body finally connected. Heavy fists grabbed the man's shirtfront.
"I don't think I like you much," he growled.
His two cronies laughed and nudged each other. "You show'im boss."
"Yeah, make 'is face funny."
Lead brute brought his face (and smelly breath) close to the man's. "I'll ask you agin, see, this runt-"
"Runt!?" Ralin's head popped above the counter. "Go and boil yer head, maggot face!"
The scene appeared to freeze as the thugs stared at the lad much like a fox will stare at a cornered mouse.
"Oh...blimey-" Ralin hopped over the counter, pointing his wand at the men. "Let 'im go, beetle breath! I'm warning ye!"
The three huge men advanced on the young man, grinning wickedly. There was a flash of purple and yellow light, and when it cleared...
...the two cronies found themselves staring at a rabbit where there leader had been. A rabbit with the head of a chicken.
Ralin buried his face in his palm. "Oh for th' love of Merlin, that didn't work right." Suddenly he found himself hauled up by his collar, his feet dangling a good foot off the ground. He smiled nervously at the two thugs. "Hahah, at least he's fluffy...?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Maebh Breandan on May 14, 2011 14:10:53 GMT -5
The weeks after the demon attack had been interestingly busy. So much so that she had rarely been in the apothecary for more than a few hours each day. She also hadn't the chance to apologize to that burly barkeep who had helped save her life. Really, she should have come by to see if he was alright several weeks ago but truth be told she had been dreading it. Well, not really but the man was very good looking and well he sparked her interest. She had to finish her vegetables before she could first go after desert. With her last assignment finished and the May day celebration show finished and her gypsy family on the road again she had more time.
So she decided, on her day off, to leave the shop in the capable hands of her seventeen year old sister and go see the barkeep. What she hadn't expected was to see three muscle men facing down not only the man who had battled demons but Theo.
She paused in the doorway listening to Theo's speech on manners.
"We better answer you or what? I'm sorry: it's usually customary to start a conversation with 'Good Evening,'" Theo leaned over to whisper, "This is where you say, Good Evening," And then louder, "and you introduce yourself and your acquaintances." Whisper. "Say your names." Louder. "You state your purpose for being here, apologize for the manner of your entry, pose your question, and then my friend and I kindly reply: No. No, we haven't seen a kid run in here. Short. Red hair."
How charming. Maebh suppressed a smile and walked up to the men her face schooled into a moody expression.
She'd been about to open her mouth to spin a wild tale about seeing the boy run off somewhere when the dolt jumped out from behind the counter. Ever the noble man.
She also recognized one of the thugs from her spying expositions for the hit wizards. She had no fear that they'd remember her, as she had been dressed like a school marm with severe light brown hair and a prim outfit and a overly large nose. So unlike the free spirit she was that morning. Her hair was in it's natural riotous state and a lovely shade of mocha.
She laughed when Ralin had turned the leader into a rabbit. This was lovely. She took out her wand and swiftly came up from behind one of the men, placing her wand at the pulse in his neck.
"Move I dare ye. Let me bleed ye dry. I'm a far better shot than he." She said in a soft whisper. Oh this was just her cup of tea.
|
|
|
|
Post by Reckony Pike on May 14, 2011 14:42:38 GMT -5
The entertainment provided by Theo, the bullies and the man Reckony had met a few weeks prior as Ralin O'Faerlun was nearly enough to make up for the barkeep's loathsome week. It was quite titillating, actually, and he let his best friend take the lead on the tango with the big man. He enjoyed seeing Theo's more spirited side and it offered him a few moments to gauge the situation, in case he needed to unleash his patented quasi-Irish-almost-Canadian.
Theo was doing fine, and while the man who towered above his mate had him firmly by the lapels, Reckony had faith that all would be well in a manner of moments. Theo's Finishing School classes on etiquette were enough to bore the wings off a flying fish.
Reckony crossed his arms against his chest and puffed out his proverbial feathers, taking great delight in seeing the leader turned in to a chicken-bunny by a fearless O'Faerlun. He was about to offer his own brand of justice by adding a top hat when he spotted an apparition at the door. An apparition that caused everything else to sink away in to darkness.
"My gypsy."
Maebh Breandan was surrounded by a halo, her dark-mocha locks dancing in a summer breeze that Reckony knew only existed in his head. Her piercing eyes bore in to the depths of his heart and he was filled with an immense heat that spoke of sincere admiration and lust. She was his siren and he was her prey. Thank God you came back. Reckony unconsciously began to approach the woman; his footfalls were silent, his direction had intent. She came closer and closer towards him, imbuing him with a scent of magnolias in midnight-bloom and jasmine-scented chinese lanterns. He could sense the smile that lingered beneath her lips and when they were just close enough - close enough to brush skin -
She walked straight past him.
Light. Bright light! Noise!
"Move I dare ye. Let me bleed ye dry. I'm a far better shot than he."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on May 14, 2011 14:59:28 GMT -5
The rabbit belched fire.
Ralin's eyes widened as he struggled, but his feet kicked uselessly as he tried to get some leverage. But salvation came in the form of the lovely gypsy. And the rabbit.
"Move I dare ye. Let me bleed ye dry. I'm a far better shot than he."
The second thug, the one not being threatened, swung around to face the woman, grabbing her wand hand in a massive hand. "Hey missy," he sneered, "that en't nice now. Pretty li'l girl like you," he pulled her close to him. "Best leave now, dun wanna mess up tha' pretty face o'yourn."
The rabbit hopped over and bit the ankle of the man holding Ralin aloft. He yelped and Ralin finally got his fist up and planted it in the man's nose. He howled and dropped the lad, clapping his hands over his face.
FLASH
Now there was a rabbit-chicken and a... "Emu?!" Ralin threw his hands up in exasperation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Maebh Breandan on May 14, 2011 15:48:28 GMT -5
Maebh wanted to laugh in the ugly man's face. Did he really think that by holding her wand she was helpless? Most likely. Fool.So, she played into his misconceptions. She turned her face to him, her eyes widening in what looked like fear. She bit her trembling lip, laughter not fear, and pretended to be terrified. She allowed him to snag her, and as he pulled her closer she used her hand not holding her wand to grab the knife she had strapped to her inner leg.
Weapon in hand she let go of her wand, grabbed his forearm and used it as leverage to push back.
"It's not nice to touch a lady." She quipped as she twisted in his grip, her knife resting on his manly package.
"Now release me and back up twenty paces." She demanded her voice authoritative and sharp. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Ralin had transfigured yet another poor idiot.
"Please don't scare me. I might slip and then there go's the family jewels." She said sweetly, pressing the knife into the soft area, not enough to draw blood but enough to feel the sharpness of her blade.
|
|
|
|
Post by Theo Bowre on May 15, 2011 19:02:18 GMT -5
[[OOC: Sorry - posting both Theo and Reckony on this reply in the interests of time.]]
Reckony snapped from his lust-induced coma, spinning around to follow the steps of She Who Would Become His Next Conquest. The burly barkeep made to follow, his hand reaching for a wand he knew would do no good, but his arm was suddenly halted by Theo Bowre. Theo wore an expression that Pike would do well to heed. It stopped him cold in his tracks.
"Don't," Theo cautioned. "It would insult her greatly if you interfered."
"Are you kidding me? Theodore, she has a man by his soft places. Any moment that spell could wear off and then what? She's not going to fight three grown men on her own."
"Trust me. Maebh's seen much, much worse. We'll be here to provide back-up but best let her take the lead. It's a matter of respect."
"But she's-"
"No."
Reckony sulked, levelling his best friend with a look of sincere resignation. Were he not indebted to Theo for the countless times his hunches came to pass, he would have told the man to mind his own business. Experience told him to trust his mate, but he could not help but feel an inch of jealousy that the man seemed to know more about his mystic gypsy than he did. And why was that. Reckony cast a sideways glance before concentrating on the melee in front of them.
"Is there something I should know, Theo?" Reckony's tone was slightly more harsh than intended.
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on May 18, 2011 0:04:06 GMT -5
It was too much for the remaining thug. After all, bullies are mostly bluff and not much else. Not even brains. But he could put two and two together and come up with a chicken-rabbit and emu. And a fiery-eyed gypsy that had him at a severe disadvantage. It was not his night. Glancing between the annoying Irish kid and the woman, he held up his hands and backed away slowly.
"I've just remembered I left the kettle on...somewhere. My kitchen's on fire. I...er...gotta go." He reached the exit, his back rattling against the wooden door of the pub. But he didn't leave without casting one last glower at Ralin and pointing a threatening finger at him.
"You won't get away with this, kid. Watch yer back!"
Ralin smirked. "Ya, go chew on a rabid porcupine!"
The thug's eyes widened as the emu and rabbicken flew at him. He ducked and they flew out the door.
"And take yer furry freaks with ya!" Ralin's wand was out; he couldn't resist one last poke at the man.
Then the thug was gone, and Ralin's shoulders drooped with relief. "Shee, and I thought I was gonna be bug squash f'certain that time. Thanks a bunch lass," he winked at Maebh, then turned with an apologetic look to the two men watching. "Sorry for bringin' a mess into yer pub, sir."
|
|
|
|
Post by Maebh Breandan on May 18, 2011 23:26:08 GMT -5
This was Maebh's element. A rough house brawl was something she had grown up with. She might be the second oldest of her family but she traveled with other families and her cousins most of her life. Fighting was in her blood. Her older brother had taught her how to defend herself at a young age. Weapons and hand to hand combat was a way of life. Even a girl was taught how to fight, because sometimes that was the only way to protect yourself. The road was a hard life and even girls fought dirty.
Maebh's eyes flickered away from her catch to land on the man Theo had held back. What was he thinking? She hoped she was impressing him with her skill, or was he taken aback by her forwardness? It might be 2021 but some men still thought a woman were meek, weak creatures who needed coddling. While she did not mind a man fussing over her at times, she could fight just as well as any man and sometimes better.
A wide, self satisfied smirk tugged at her lips when the man she held gave his excuses. Fire my arse she muttered under her breath. But she was glad to see him go. She shook her head though when the boy prodded the escaping villains.
"It's best not to prod a sleeping dragon..." She pointed out good naturely. She was a bit worried though. Those thugs might come after the boy again. Maybe she could offer to teach Ralin a few self defense moves that could help him against larger frames.
"Why were they after you in the first place?" She asked curious, even though she really had no right. She put her knife away and glanced at the man who had fought with her and her brother against the demons.
"A fire whiskey sir, I do say I am quite parched." She shot him a wicked smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Reckony Pike on May 19, 2011 0:35:55 GMT -5
"Sorry for bringin' a mess into yer pub, sir."
"A fire whiskey sir, I do say I am quite parched."
Reckony pushed away Theo's hand without so much as looking at him and set forth with purpose towards the bar, tossing on his apron and grabbing four goblets from the rack. He gave the pewter vessels a quick clean with his rag and reached behind the first several rows of bottles to grab something with a particular bite. It was his most expensive fire whiskey and, without question, his favourite. Pike was silent as he poured. Somewhere in his mind, he was rummaging through luggage.
"Please, have a seat and be my guests." The change in the barkeep's demeanour was rather sudden and severe, his testosterone returning to a level of normalcy. This was the Reckony Pike that most were familiar with. Something about the gypsy made him spike.
"To Ralin," Reckony raised his goblet, waiting for the others to join him. "May his thugs fall down a hole and never return. To Miss Maebh Breandan, who saved the boy and the bar. Good form. And to Theo. I'm sorry, Theo. Let's drink." Reckony tipped his drink and then took the amber liquid down in a single gulp. It burned like a hell of a witch. He coughed.
"Ralin, I'm not one to suggest another's friends but I think you should reconsider them pansies. They are entirely too obtuse, old chum. You need someone more acute." Reckony smiled at Maebh but it was less lecherous and more playful. "I use mathematical metaphors in order to bother Theodore. He is impossibly serious."
"Maebh, Miss Breandan, I don't think we were ever properly introduced. There was so much going on the other night. It was inappropriate of me to walk away without checking on you. My name is Reckony Pike but my friends call me Reck." His handshake was one that he reserved for his mates but he figured he'd take his friends advice for once. "You fight amazingly well. We'd not have made it without you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on May 19, 2011 0:58:24 GMT -5
Ralin grinned, completely unapologetically, at the lovely gypsy. "Well, y'see, I was walking down th' street t'Zonkos, mindin' me own business, when I heard those gents bullyin' some person, so I went to see what was up." He shrugged, his green eyes twinkling. "When I told 'em to step off, they threatened me t'mind me own business. That's when I told them what I thought o'their faces, upbringing and general lack o'hygiene an' for some reason that got 'em all stewed."
He stuck his wand back into the back pocket of his pants. "Twas only after that I remembered th' whole thing about bitin' off more'n you can chew." Ralin frowned. "Funny, I always remember that after I open me mouth."
Blushing at the toast Reckony offered, the young man sat down with a butterbeer and winked at the man. "Friends? Hah, I don't think that lot has room for more friends, what with all the fleas an' stuff hangin' around them. Though now they might find friends. At the zoo."
He realized that there would come a time of reckoning, when the thugs (doubly angry now that Ralin had hexed them and gotten away with it) found him. But Ralin's heart usually overruled his head in these sort of things, so he pushed the worry to the back of his mind. Hopefully he'd have his broom with him at the time. Or it'd be a full moon. Either way, no need to let it worry him right now.
Ralin stood up and moved to sit next to Theo. "So are ye brothers separated at birth or sommat like that?" He chuckled. "Ye seem t'argue like it, no offense meant."
|
|
