Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz

Weddell Bott was failing to be social, but at least... the blushing and smiling from Ivy was something right on his part. At the very least,it felt right. He walked beside her with a more confident stride, even with the leash in his hand.

Why had he let her talk him into bringing the dog? Why?

"I would have regretted it later had I not said it," Dell explained. "Like I have before." He took in her return compliment with a brisk nod of acknowledgement, but made no comment about this own appearances. He wore a suit everyday.

He was watching her anyway, intently, so Dell easily caught her glance and even smiled a little. "I think I would rather go read your section of the book. Do you suppose it's here? And if you can wait on food, I'll take you out to something that isn't buffet afterwards."

"Like you have before?" Ivy echoed before thinking. She picked up one plate and nodded, turning around fully to gesture toward a table at the end of the hall. "I thinkkkk I saw some books over there... you can probably snag one of them."

She suddenly felt nervous that he wouldn't like her chapter, or would think her silly, and decided to hurriedly pile some chicken legs onto the plate. "Oh?" Wait, they were going out now? "I would... like that," Ivy mumbled, glancing down at the dog as if for help.

"I'll just give this little plate to Francesca." Yes, because if Dell was taking her to a not a buffet place, then the dog probably wouldn't be allowed to come too. And she couldn't forget about the dog!

Snag one? Dell pulled on the dog leash while he turned to see where she meant. He intended to buy one, particularly if proceeds went to Ivy, but it was unclear if those books were for sale. Maybe he'd just borrow one for now and pay for one later a proper bookshop.

"Like I have before," he reiterated. That probably didn't need an explanation. It was what it was.

He'd like to go out for better food arrangements, too, so that worked out well. However.... "My professional, live-in dog caretaker feeds the dog chicken legs from buffets?" Just so he knew. Dell was... smiling though. And in an ever bolder more than the whispering had been, he used his free hand to place one finger under her chin and tip her head so he could see her face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz

Snag one? Dell pulled on the dog leash while he turned to see where she meant. He intended to buy one, particularly if proceeds went to Ivy, but it was unclear if those books were for sale. Maybe he'd just borrow one for now and pay for one later a proper bookshop.

"Like I have before," he reiterated. That probably didn't need an explanation. It was what it was.

He'd like to go out for better food arrangements, too, so that worked out well. However.... "My professional, live-in dog caretaker feeds the dog chicken legs from buffets?" Just so he knew. Dell was... smiling though. And in an ever bolder more than the whispering had been, he used his free hand to place one finger under her chin and tip her head so he could see her face.

Like he had before...? Ivy was still working that one out. Did the Big Bad Bott Boss really have regrets? Was that possible? She probably shouldn't think on this too much... should save the deep thoughts for later, when she was brushing out her hair at home.

"She does," the redhead confirmed with a coy smile. "She's hungry!" She was about to set the plate down for Francesca, who had accumulated a shiny spot of drool on the floor, when she looked up and found Dell suddenly much closer to her face and touching her chin and smiling for no reason at all. She, meanwhile, could only stare like a deer caught in headlights.

Ivy bit her lip. "Maybe chicken bones are bad for dogs..." EEEP! Why did he have to be so handsome up close? And far away?

Well, THAT was better. Using people's names and... wait. WHAT? Brynn turned on Norma and her boyfriend grandson, making very attractive fish faces at them. He was... the adorable little baby from the story?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoe

Before her grandson could even give her a response, Hugo’s assistant had found her way over to them and picked up her boss’s slack. Norma smiled at the young woman, giving Colton a gentle nudge with her elbow and winked. She liked Miss Tate so far. Such a sweet thing, she was. It was so kind of her to compliment her on her story and say that her grandchildren were adorable. “Thank you, dear. But I did bring one of my grandchildren with me,” the old lady replied with a nod of her head, making a swift motion to her escort. “This handsome man here is Colton, my youngest grandson.”

Norma was about to lean a bit closer to Miss Tate to tell her a little something about her grandson’s relationship status when Hugo started talking to her. Thanks to his lovely assistant, he now knew who she was. “Oh, please, call me Norma, Mr. Beverley. And I am glad that you enjoyed my story,” she told him, fairly certain that he hadn’t even read a word of it. No matter, though. She knew that he was a rather busy man. “Yes, Colton has always been a curious one. But he means well.”

She turned to Ivy when the redhead spoke of the cookie incident. A simple nod of her head was given. Her grandchildren, particularly Colton, did impress her that day. It was only right to share it with the wizarding community. When Ivy excused herself, Weddell, and Francesca, Norma then noticed a man wearing a … woman’s shirt? She could have sworn she had one similar to that somewhere in her wardrobe. Hmm. “I love your shirt, Mister …?”

"Oh. Well. NORMA." Brynn reached out and patted the woman's arm. She somehow managed to find her smile again, although she was floored by this news. "You'll just think it's so funny, but I thought your grandson was your booooooyfriend. It's just impossible for me to believe that someone as lovely and vivacious as yourself can have a grandson who is so..." Handsome? "Tall."

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Like he had before...? Ivy was still working that one out. Did the Big Bad Bott Boss really have regrets? Was that possible? She probably shouldn't think on this too much... should save the deep thoughts for later, when she was brushing out her hair at home.

"She does," the redhead confirmed with a coy smile. "She's hungry!" She was about to set the plate down for Francesca, who had accumulated a shiny spot of drool on the floor, when she looked up and found Dell suddenly much closer to her face and touching her chin and smiling for no reason at all. She, meanwhile, could only stare like a deer caught in headlights.

Ivy bit her lip. "Maybe chicken bones are bad for dogs..." EEEP! Why did he have to be so handsome up close? And far away?

Dell didn't let his hand linger at her face. Once he had her attention, he returned to his own personal space. "I suppose that's what I pay you for - to know when and how to feed my dog."

She was an ugly dog. Sure, she had grown on Dell, and he even let her sleep on the end of his bed sometimes, but she was ugly.

"Do you know Heimlich for dogs?" While she seemed distracted, Dell switched with her: leash for plate of chicken. He inclined his head towards the table of books. Maybe she could find them a place, and he'd just sit and read the book for a while while.... his dog ate chicken in public.

It was rare in public but a smile formed on his lips. "Perfect answer." Dash answered simply, not exactly because he agreed with her, but rather because they seemed to be thing along the same line. And that was rare. "I should be shocked."

Well of course Hollingberry always did well in Charms. She was a walking talking dictionary, with no personality to help make her vast knowledge less annoying.

Hollingbery.

All smiles, grinning like an idiot. If anything it caused Dash's demeanour to turn cold.

"Correct." Ex-Daily Prophet employee? So what was he doing here? It was not like he had any use to any one of the authors. "Right." He said, attempt to sound as interested as possible. "If you don't mind me asking then" - Even if he did Dash would still ask - "is there a reason pertaining to the Japanese government as to why you are here?" Here. In London. And not Japan with his 'busy bee'.

Within seconds of the question leaving his mouth the man suddenly pushed something right into his face.

The man was not sane.

It was a given that he would be slightly obnoxious seeing as how his offspring was, but he was not slightly obnoxious, he just seemed to have been dropped on the head one to many times as a infant.

Swiping the photograph away from the mans hands, Dash didn't even bother to take a proper look at it. "Wow. Astounding. Just astounding. A group of children that now know how to recite passages word for word from any book. Shocking. Just. Just how would they survive otherwise? This is right up there with finding a cure to every disease known to Wizards clearly."

It would be so hard to catch the sarcasm in his voice. He held the picture back to Charles, handing onto the smallest amount of it possible. "And I'm extremely sure that Althea would agree." His eyes flickered to her, resting the urge to shake his head in disbelief.

This man? Yeah. It made sense why Kurumi was the way she was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz

Dell didn't let his hand linger at her face. Once he had her attention, he returned to his own personal space. "I suppose that's what I pay you for - to know when and how to feed my dog."

She was an ugly dog. Sure, she had grown on Dell, and he even let her sleep on the end of his bed sometimes, but she was ugly.

"Do you know Heimlich for dogs?" While she seemed distracted, Dell switched with her: leash for plate of chicken. He inclined his head towards the table of books. Maybe she could find them a place, and he'd just sit and read the book for a while while.... his dog ate chicken in public.

"I suppose," Ivy echoed, not really all there. She found she had the leash in her hand now and not the plate, but followed Dell's head toward a table near the books regardless. "Here," she frowned, absentmindedly passing him the leash too. "You should read the story TO Francesca, as she's in it too. And no, she shan't need the Heimlich. She's too smart to eat a bone!"

And then Ivy wandered off, presumably to fetch herself a drink. And maybe some water for the dog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaos.Doodles

It was rare in public but a smile formed on his lips. "Perfect answer." Dash answered simply, not exactly because he agreed with her, but rather because they seemed to be thing along the same line. And that was rare. "I should be shocked."

Well of course Hollingberry always did well in Charms. She was a walking talking dictionary, with no personality to help make her vast knowledge less annoying.

Hollingbery.

All smiles, grinning like an idiot. If anything it caused Dash's demeanour to turn cold.

"Correct." Ex-Daily Prophet employee? So what was he doing here? It was not like he had any use to any one of the authors. "Right." He said, attempt to sound as interested as possible. "If you don't mind me asking then" - Even if he did Dash would still ask - "is there a reason pertaining to the Japanese government as to why you are here?" Here. In London. And not Japan with his 'busy bee'.

Within seconds of the question leaving his mouth the man suddenly pushed something right into his face.

The man was not sane.

It was a given that he would be slightly obnoxious seeing as how his offspring was, but he was not slightly obnoxious, he just seemed to have been dropped on the head one to many times as a infant.

Swiping the photograph away from the mans hands, Dash didn't even bother to take a proper look at it. "Wow. Astounding. Just astounding. A group of children that now know how to recite passages word for word from any book. Shocking. Just. Just how would they survive otherwise? This is right up there with finding a cure to every disease known to Wizards clearly."

It would be so hard to catch the sarcasm in his voice. He held the picture back to Charles, handing onto the smallest amount of it possible. "And I'm extremely sure that Althea would agree." His eyes flickered to her, resting the urge to shake his head in disbelief.

This man? Yeah. It made sense why Kurumi was the way she was.

She was on her way over to the buffet when she recognized the back of somebody's head and a whole bunch of pictures in his hand too. Ivy stopped, distracted by the glossy photos, and made her way over to Dash's side. The side not containing the blonde (WHO WAS THAT? OOH? He hadn't told her about HER. Had he?! Ivy was going to get the details. Now.).

"Hi Dash!" she greeted the grumpster with a big grin and a poke to his arm. "How ARE you? Who's your friends here? I lovedddd your story by the way, it was so.... YOU."

Teehe. Mr. McBitter.

Perfect answer? She eyed Dash, smiled slightly, but didn't ask what HE would dress up as. She'd ask him later once this Hollingberry was done... being a Hollingberry, apparently.

Tickled? Right.

Well, congratulations were nice, she supposed, even if she'd been there for some time now. Althea simply inclined her head at Hollingberry graciously. Oh? Alchemy books? "I can recommend a few volumes in particular, if you like." You know, when he was done irritating Dash. Which was brilliant by the way.

Daily Prophet. She'd thought so. She'd thought she'd recognised his name from a byline and what was...?

Althea just sort of stared at the picture. Not so much at the content of the picture as the actual thrusting of it into Dash's bubble, which was also her bubble when one thought about it. Subtly, she pressed closer against his side, her free hand came to rest against her chest, over her heart. She was either overcome or a little disgusted. Or, overcome with disgust.

It DID explain a lot and now Dash's sarcasm was coming fast and thick. Did she agree? Clearly she did, but it was still amusing to see someone irritating him. She quite enjoyed his almost!mad face. She shrugged one shoulder at him philosophically. What could you do? The world was full of nutjobs, apparently the Hollingberry family had their own special brand of nutty. Probably the kind that came in cookies.

And now another interruption.

...

She was going to reserve judgement as to whether this was an improvement or not. Althea eyed the red head for a moment as she poked Dash, then turned to look speculatively over at where Dell had apparently been abandoned with that inappropriate dog, and then back at the red head again. As for who Dash's 'friend' was, well.

He had best get that introduction right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

"I suppose," Ivy echoed, not really all there. She found she had the leash in her hand now and not the plate, but followed Dell's head toward a table near the books regardless. "Here," she frowned, absentmindedly passing him the leash too. "You should read the story TO Francesca, as she's in it too. And no, she shan't need the Heimlich. She's too smart to eat a bone!"

And then Ivy wandered off, presumably to fetch herself a drink. And maybe some water for the dog.



She was on her way over to the buffet when she recognized the back of somebody's head and a whole bunch of pictures in his hand too. Ivy stopped, distracted by the glossy photos, and made her way over to Dash's side. The side not containing the blonde (WHO WAS THAT? OOH? He hadn't told her about HER. Had he?! Ivy was going to get the details. Now.).

"Hi Dash!" she greeted the grumpster with a big grin and a poke to his arm. "How ARE you? Who's your friends here? I lovedddd your story by the way, it was so.... YOU."

Teehe. Mr. McBitter.

Dell blinked at his full hands, at the back of Ivy's head, and then to the dog. He should have anticipated this, that Ivy would run off to mingle, and he'd be left as Daily Prophet prey. They'd probably publish a picture of him with the dog. He should have FURTHER anticipated that Ivy would go straight for Thea.

Of course.

He quickly put the... chicken wings... down on a table, grabbed a book, and sat with his nose in it. Eventually, Francesca's whining got him to move the chicken to the floor. Fine, fine, very well. He'd be the man that brought a dog to a banquet hall, then fed it chicken wings on the floor.

The eldest Bott did his best to be absorbed in Ivy's story, though the more he read, the redder the tops of his ears became.

Sarah was looking around, watching everyone interact... including her professor and his date... Then she noticed something... it looked like - a dog. Sarah's whole body tensed up. It was a fear she had. It was the fear of canines. She was only scared of canines she did not know, she took time to warm up to them. She loved her dog at home and her grandmother's dog, yet she hoped that the dog would not noticed her. This was scary and embarrassing, which twelve year old was scared of a dog...
She tried to use her favourite method when faced with a strange dog, she conversed with it in her mind. 'Please stay away from me...' she thought to it. Hopefully it got the message.

Dell was as afraid of lurking twelve year old girls as the young girl was of Francesca. At least. He peered over his book at her, trying to figure out what she... was looking at.

Whose kid was this anyway? Was Dell Bott to become the dog AND babysitter? Probably.

Ahem. Dell cleared his throat and raised the book a little higher to block the little girl from his view. Francesca seemed interested though. She LIKED to be petted and fawned over. She licked her doggy!lips and put a paw forward. Just a paw.

"Oh, that would be fantastic," Charles nodded. "I'm afraid alchemy was not something that I could ever really wrap my head around properly."

Hmmm...it seemed to Charles as though this man was not reeeeeeeeeeally looking at the pictures of his little perfect sugarplum because no one could look THAT grumpy and against the world when they had seen her sparkling smile. Then again, not even magical film was really able to capture the TRUE essence that was her smile.

But all that aside for now as he was being asked some questions. "I am actually here because the Ministry asked me to be. As Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, the Minister felt it best that I come and dust off my journalist books to report back and give this book here some international exposure." How kind of him to ask though!

Oh? OH? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH?!

Charles' beaming was now beyond obnoxious levels at each word that left the man's mouth. FINALLY! He had seen the light! The light radiating from these photos that was only the tiniest fraction of her true radiance. BRILLIANT MAN! Give him a prize!

"I am SO glad you see it too!" Charles exclaimed, clearly not noticing the obvious sarcasm in the man's voice. Nothing really went through to Charles when he was thinking about his not-so-little Ambassador of Cuteness. "She spends all her summers back in Japan teaching the youth proper kendo technique that also teaches great life lessons and molds the youth of the future!"

Charles always knew that Hogwarts had some of the most intelligent people as its staff. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAM.

In fact, Charles was SO flattered by this man being on the same page as him that he put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm pat. *pat pat pat* LOVELY man!

OH? And now they had been joined by someone else, who Charles greeted with another polite bow of the head before noticing a young girl, clearly of Hogwarts age. OH, Charles would simply have to go over and speak with her as well.

A former journalist, and to think, Dash assumed that he would get along well with people who wrote, for once he was wrong. Althea moving closer too him would have been good almost like a sign that she understood what he was thinking, if the man wasn’t so eccentric.

The man didn’t understand sarcasm! The History of Magic Professor had no clue why he was hearing about a student who he couldn’t care less about. Perhaps Kurumi had been a bit better this term however-

Did…he just…?

Dash stared, first at his shoulder where Charles’ hand had come in contact with four times, then to the man. His eyes just flickered back and forth from shoulder to man, until finally they rested back on his student’s parent, and a large smile formed on his lips.

Yes.

He was smiling, baring teeth and all in a sickening over the top sort of smile.

“Charles.” Smiling Dash rested his OWN hand on the man’s shoulder. “Fair warning here,” He cleared his throat. “If you ever touch me again, they’ll be two possible options. I will cut your hand off in the most painful way imaginable. Or I’ll just make sure that your little ray of sunshine fails all her NEWTS. The former is actually most likely to be painful to someone like…well, you, but I think it would be best for you not to touch me.” He dropped his hand, and the smile faded almost instantly.

With that said, he would have taken the moment to lead Althea away from the man, if the familiar red head had not appeared at his side. “Ivy.” How was he? Well. He stared, paying no mind to her arm pokes. “I’ve been better.” That should have been obvious, he did attempt a real smile though. “Neither are friends.” Dash corrected. One was an acquaintance at most, and Althea and him had never been friends.

“Mister Charles Hollingberry here, is apparently here to give the book exposure.” Or to brag about his daughter, invade people’s personal space and be a Hollingberry. As for the woman on his other side, he took a few seconds, figuring out the perfect wording. “And this is Althea Schirmer,” he licked his lips, and looked to Althea. “We are currently dating.” Dating. Yeah. They were. Hm.

Dash held out his hand motioning to Ivy. “Ivy Bunbury.” It was said mostly for Althea since, he really didn’t care if Charles was listening or not. “The woman who did not write about how I saved her life, despite the fact I informed her long before that she was most likely a terrible actress.”

There it was. Elinor's breath froze, but one wouldn't know it to look at her. She simply nodded her head and did an excellent job of not blushing. She put on her pokerface. "It was an impulsive thing. I was surprised, myself," she finally said, and then went back to holding her breath, waiting for Nigel's incredulous look from out of the corner of her eye. She didn't dare flit her gaze in that direction.

"Well, if it comes up, it comes up, I suppose. I'm not going to dance if I don't want to, and they can't make me," she said, sounding a little like a child. She was still avoiding Nigel's eye, looking between different groups of people. And here the three of them were, undisturbed. It felt rather good. Rather good.

Now where did Tate get to? He looked in the room and found her. He bent down, as he was almost 7 feet tall, and whispered in her ear, "Is it time for me to give a speech? Should I give a speech?"

He was lost without her...

Colton was feeling all sorts of feels of not wanting to be there.

First off he was a grown man and everyone was here to celebrate their own stories, but mostly his Nana's story where he was a little kid doing what frankly was dumb but apparently too cute to function according to this lot. So with that being the subject of converation, Colton was continuing to feel embarrassed as the large man who was the Publisher of the book was being subject to his Nana's gushing and then to make matters worse....

Miss Tate was now here, privy to all of it.

O____O

Wait...she had thought he was his Nana's BOYFRIEND?! Yeah...mood sort of ruined.

The woman was laughing admitedly making her even more attractive and Colton just shook his head, "No, no. This is my Nana. Miss Tate, right? Colton Smith." He strategically stepped to the side, away from the publisher and his grandmother who was complimenting a man's rather feminine attire. Maybe he would get a chance to work his magic on this lady.

Oh hush now. Grown men making other grown men blush in PUBLIC was always a sight to see. And now they have all seen it! GREAT!
"Aahh that's truly appreciated. It's always nice to meet a fan and I'm quite certain I'll be a fan of this book your agency has put together." Plimpy Soup was one of his favourites. So the book was already a big hit with him.

Hhmmm? Oh! "Cope, Cooper Cope... and thank you. I found it in a lovely boutique in London." Cause you know. Boutiques were all the rage!
Leaning in closer to the LOVELY lady, Cooper whispered, "It was quite the bargain." And finished with a wink.

"Oh and where are my manners? You name was?"
Was she here to support her... son? family member? partner?

Oh my. Somebody was quite polite. "Evening," he replied, taking the woman's hand and bowing down to kiss it. Yes. The Coops WAS a gentleman. "I'm Cooper Cope..." obviously.

When Miss Tate patted her arm and revealed to her that she thought Colton was her boyfriend, Norma couldn’t help put let out a good chuckle or two. This girl here was funny one! But, still, the idea of her grandson being her boyfriend was crazy. What would a lady like herself do with a boyfriend, especially someone so young, at this stage in her life? These youngsters had quite the imaginations these days.

“Yes, he is pretty tall,” she agreed, sidestepping a little bit closer to Colton. Just so she could show off how tall and manly he looked next to a little, old thing like herself. “I mean, he practically looks like a giant next to me.” Norma grinned at them both, wondering if she should spill the beans. But it seemed like Colton was warming up to Miss Tate all on his own without her assistance. “I think I’ll let you two get to know each other,” she added with a wink, turning to that man who most definitely was wearing a woman’s shirt.

Cooper Cope. That was a name Norma had heard before. She had certainly heard the man’s voice before on the wireless. And, much to her surprise, she was quite familiar with the boutique he spoke of. “I bet it was,” Norma said, purposely leaving out any details about how she had bought a shirt similar to his not too long ago. “I’m Norma Smith, the Plimpy Soup top contributor. It is a pleasure to meet you, Cooper.”

From across the room, Brynn could spot trouble brewing. Her brother had once accused her of being a self-centered brat, and perhaps that was mostly true. But she could see that things were tense, and she knew she ought to go over and intervene.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droo

Now where did Tate get to? He looked in the room and found her. He bent down, as he was almost 7 feet tall, and whispered in her ear, "Is it time for me to give a speech? Should I give a speech?"

He was lost without her...

Oh! Rescue! "Yes. YES, Mr Beverley. I think you ought to make a speech and welcome everyone here and tell them they are wonderful and tell Norma that she's great and shake hands with people when you're done. And remind them to eat and take a book and go home when they're too tired to continue dancing," Brynn offered all in a hurried breath. Her boss could save the day if he'd just pay attention and make everyone welcome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

Colton was feeling all sorts of feels of not wanting to be there.

First off he was a grown man and everyone was here to celebrate their own stories, but mostly his Nana's story where he was a little kid doing what frankly was dumb but apparently too cute to function according to this lot. So with that being the subject of converation, Colton was continuing to feel embarrassed as the large man who was the Publisher of the book was being subject to his Nana's gushing and then to make matters worse....

Miss Tate was now here, privy to all of it.

O____O

Wait...she had thought he was his Nana's BOYFRIEND?! Yeah...mood sort of ruined.

The woman was laughing admitedly making her even more attractive and Colton just shook his head, "No, no. This is my Nana. Miss Tate, right? Colton Smith." He strategically stepped to the side, away from the publisher and his grandmother who was complimenting a man's rather feminine attire. Maybe he would get a chance to work his magic on this lady.

Because HONESTLY... she didn't want to go over and pry men's hands from around each others' throats. She wanted to stand here and talk to the handsome grandson of Ms Norma Smith. That was surely part of her job TOO, wasn't it?

Brynn put a hand on the man's arm and turned her back on the trouble AND her boss. "Brynn Tate. Mr. Smith, you were an adorable toddler. It's so obvious that your grandmother adores you, and based on the fact that you're here... you must like her too." More than a little bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoe

When Miss Tate patted her arm and revealed to her that she thought Colton was her boyfriend, Norma couldn’t help put let out a good chuckle or two. This girl here was funny one! But, still, the idea of her grandson being her boyfriend was crazy. What would a lady like herself do with a boyfriend, especially someone so young, at this stage in her life? These youngsters had quite the imaginations these days.

“Yes, he is pretty tall,” she agreed, sidestepping a little bit closer to Colton. Just so she could show off how tall and manly he looked next to a little, old thing like herself. “I mean, he practically looks like a giant next to me.” Norma grinned at them both, wondering if she should spill the beans. But it seemed like Colton was warming up to Miss Tate all on his own without her assistance. “I think I’ll let you two get to know each other,” she added with a wink, turning to that man who most definitely was wearing a woman’s shirt.

Cooper Cope. That was a name Norma had heard before. She had certainly heard the man’s voice before on the wireless. And, much to her surprise, she was quite familiar with the boutique he spoke of. “I bet it was,” Norma said, purposely leaving out any details about how she had bought a shirt similar to his not too long ago. “I’m Norma Smith, the Plimpy Soup top contributor. It is a pleasure to meet you, Cooper.”

He was pretty and tall. Obviously. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," Brynn murmured and offered Mr. Smith her prettiest smile. And Norma got a smile too, of course. Smiles for everyone!

Ivy had a hard time NOT laughing at the way Dash just completely and utterly dismissed the proud papa in front of her. Good MERLIN, HE was a good actor! Wasn't he? He wouldn't really slice the man's hand off in the most painful way possible, would he? In front of his date and all?

Ivy leaned around her friend as he was introducing her and wiggled her fingers at the tall blonde lady. "Hi hi, Ms. Schirmer. What a lucky lady YOU are!" Or... not, you know, depending on Dash's mood.

But back to her. "That wouldn't have been saving my life," the petite redhead defended herself, "that would have only helped me save face. And besides," she flicked her hair over her shoulder, "you said yourself that I was a 'pretty good' singer! So clearly, my life SHOULD be in the entertainment business!"

Clearly! CLEARLY! She swiveled a bit in order to flash a well-rehearsed smile at the man with the photographs. "Mr. Hollingberry, it's a pleasure. You sure look like you've raised a good daughter there." And..... transition time! "Now then, tell me just what it is you do? Are you a writer? Editor? Publisher? Director?"

Probably not, but you know... networking. It was all part of the biz.

"There you go Son," He patted the boy's back as he saw him speaking with Brynn. "That's the spirit! Get in there and talk to people!"

... he wasn't the only one who was supposed to talk to people at this party.


"Oh you will... You will," and he was going to go into more with the man, but his assistant replied. "Excuse me Cooper..." he said.


His eyes grew wide as she spoke. He then leaned over and whispered "Miss Tate, please remember to breathe... I wish to keep you in my employ..." Not have you die on me because you don't take breaths when you speak.

He went to the small stage that was set up for speeches. He drew out his wand and tapped it on the podium getting everyone's attention, then with a sonorus charm, he tapped his enormous neck and began to speak.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" He began, "Welcome to the book launch party for the very first Plimpy Soup for the Wizarding Soul book." He waited for applause. "It is my pleasure to have you all here. The book is going to be an amazing success because all the stories in it are amazingly touching and wonderfully written. Please give yourselves a round of applause." Again, he waited for applause. "I would like to recognize our top contributor, and invite her to come up and say a few words. Mrs. Norma Smith, would you join me on the stage?" he asked.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Kinda surprised myself with mine as well," Roxanne replied, nodding. She had never even imagined becoming an author, and yet here she was. Granted it was a compilation, but still...

Grabbing a glass of bubbly, she held it up. "Amen, sister!" Yep, there would be no dancing unless they wanted to. Although, who would want to dance when they were all in their gowns and everything? Oh, who was she kidding, there was a grand total of three people she had seen in floor length dresses, herself included. There was probably going to be some dancing at some point. She just wished she could've gotten the guts to ask a certain someone to come with her.

Oh, time for speeches? Roxanne moved to where she was still besides Elinor and Nigel, but now facing the stage. As she listened to whom she assumed was the publisher, applauding in the appropriate places, she wondered if all the books contributors would be expected to make a speech. Surely not. She hoped not. Speaking in front of a judge and jury was one thing, but a normal everyday speech? Yeah, she didn't think she could handle that.

As the publisher called the winning contributor up, Roxanne begin to clap a nice golf clap.

No. Obviously not. There was absolutely no surprise at that admission. Althea simply smiled blandly. No. An Alchemist you are not, sir.

Uh huh. International exposure. While he was talking, Althea's eyes shifted to Dash, gauging his reactions. And then... touching.

.....

If it were her, he'd lose fingers.

"Well. Its been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Hollingberry." Althea said dismissively. "You obviously have some work to do, in your international capacity." She smiled again. It was a we-are-done-here smile if there ever was one. "So please, don't let us stop you from mingling." No really. Don't.

Althea kind of dug the threats. She listened coolly, ice queen persona perfectly in place. Also Althea very much noticed him getting all aggro about the Hollingberry touching him, but had nothing to say about this woman and her jabbing finger.

Neither are friends. Mmmhmm. And?

She waited and raised one eyebrow at him when he looked at her.

Dating. That implied currently. Currently wasn't needed. She didn't like currently.

But dating.

Hm. They were.

Oh Ivy Bunbury. This did two things in Althea's mind. Related to the new Headmistress? And Tori Bunbury? Yes? And of course, having read the story, she made the connection to Dell, and shot a look over that way. Hmmm.

Dell's dog nanny was his date? Well, good on him. She approved. Or had the potential to approve if this Ivy passed all of Althea's stringent mental checklist.

Lucky? Maybe so, and yet...

"Some would say its the other way around." Althea responded, making an effort to be charming and actually smile. HE was the lucky one. Obviously. And Althea was making nice, so he was doubly lucky.

"Are you any relation to Tori Bunbury? I taught her for a term."

And a singer. How... nice.

"Its a shame you aren't the entertainment tonight, and please, call me Althea."

What in the world?

.... WHO started a speech before the guests were done mingling, when they hadn't yet found their seats even? Perhaps the man was WAITING for applause, but Althea for one did not GIVE any.

No.

She turned slightly and shot a look at Dash that suggested she'd possibly caught a whiff of something foul.

Terrible speech. Terrible timing. Althea did not approve in the slightest.

Willow decided to go around and mingle with others. She was tired of just standing around, looking around at everyone. She'd long since finished her drink and really was just thinking a glass of water would be nice. Someone had mentioned a speech, but no one had started talking so once again she started wandering. Grabbing a glass of water from the drinks table she headed in the direction of Althea. The woman had looked familiar and she'd been certain she'd seen her around.

Willow kind of stunk at small talk, but why not give it a shot. "Lovely evening." she said as she approached. "I'm Willow, from the Daily Prophet."

Charles had seen that sort of grin before. It was the sort that one expected a shark to have before it tore a seal carcass to bits. Well, if one were to transfigure their head into the one of a shark and tried to grin - which he had done before. FANTASTIC practical joke in the boy's dorms - but you really had to have been there.

Anyway...back to his little ray of sunshine's professor looking at though he were about to tear Charles to bits.


o____________________________O

NOT HIS LITTLE PRINCESS AND HER NEWTS!

Yes, Charles seemed to have missed the first option Dash had mentioned, which shouldn't really be surprising to anyone, and his hand was off and aaaaaaaaway from the man, shoved in his pocket, and back about five steps before anyone could say plimpy. Yep, message received and he noted his dismissal as well.

"Yes, well, it was .... lovely meeting you two," he said, raising his glass and showing that he still had his hand to the pair as he turned to the nonhostile woman who had shown up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Clearly! CLEARLY! She swiveled a bit in order to flash a well-rehearsed smile at the man with the photographs. "Mr. Hollingberry, it's a pleasure. You sure look like you've raised a good daughter there." And..... transition time! "Now then, tell me just what it is you do? Are you a writer? Editor? Publisher? Director?"

Probably not, but you know... networking. It was all part of the biz.

OOOOOOH! She wanted to talk about his little cupcake of jooooooooy?! Charles was just about to whip out some more pictures when she moved the conversation along. Hmmm, perhaps later then. He could even get her a signed picture if she wanted.

"I used to be a writer for the Daily Prophet, but the Japanese Ministry of Magic called me back in to take up my old position," he explained. "Still do some writing, but my work is mainly ambassador and interpreter related matters. Hoping to do a piece for the Daily Mahou on the book though. Perhaps a translation of it for Japanese readers as well - if I can get it enough publicity."