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**Wilber Winterbottom** · 12-25-2022, 11:44 PM

Madam Puddifoot's is laid out in a typical English tea room fashion. Lace doilies cover each table on top of the flower patterned table cloths. In the middle of each is a contained candle, ready to be lit for those on a romantic retreat. The windows are half covered by fancy net curtains, leaving just enough room at the top to see over and down Hogsmeade's High Street. Little flower and heart covered cushions are on each seat awaiting your arrival.

The shopkeeper, a descendant of the original owner, keeps the shop this way because she has to. She has no desire to look upon all the fancy decorations herself, which is why you'll most likely find her in the back room. She'll come and serve you when you ring the bell on the counter, but make sure you know what you want to order as she doesn't have all day. Keep your snogging to a minimum unless you want to be kicked out.

Text Cut: Menu & Prices

The Menu

Welsh cakes - 2 knuts per cake
Rock cakes - 3 knuts per cake
Victoria sponge - 1 sickle for a slice
Cream teas (scones plus clotted cream, jam & pot of tea) - 2 Galleons
Custard slices - 3 knuts per slice
Chelsea bun - 1 sickle per cake
Carrot cake - 4 knuts per slice
Toasted teacakes - 4 knuts per cake
Crumpets - 2 knuts per crumpet
Fruit cake - 2 knuts per slice
Cheesecake - 3 knuts per slice
Scotch pancakes - 1 sickle per pancake
Coffee (Black or white – cream or milk) - 2 sickles per mug
Pure orange/apple/pineapple juice/pumpkin juice - 3 knuts
Water/Milk - 2 knuts per glass
Apple pie/crumble (with ice-cream cream or custard) - 4 sickles
Rhubarb pie/crumble (with ice-cream cream or custard) - 3 sickles
Bananas/peaches & custard - 3 sickles
Fruit salad - 2 sickles
Croissants - 1 sickle each
Cheese & crackers - 1 sickle & 2 knuts
Banana split - 1 Galleon & 2 sickles
Ice-cream sundaes - 1 Galleon & 3 sickles
Spotted dick (with ice-cream, cream or custard) - 4 sickles
Sticky toffee pudding (with ice-cream cream or custard) - 4 sickles
Custard tart - 3 knuts per slice
Rice pudding - 2 sickles per bowl
Marmalade/Marmite/Jam - 1 knut
Bread & Butter Pudding - 4 sickles per bowl
Sausage roll - 3 sickles & 1 knut
Bacon sandwich - 4 sickles & 2 knuts
Cornish pasty - 4 sickles
Pork pies/vegetable pies/steak & kidney pie - 2 sickles
Cheese on toast/beans on toast/cheese and beans on toast - 3 knuts per slice

Harron Peasley · 03-07-2023, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Don't worry dads. Your daughter wasn't here because she was on a date nor was she even kind of sometimes having little day dreams about what it might be liked to be asked on a date. IF she were to be asked on a date though, for the record, she would hope that her potential future asker would know not to take her to some candyland doily place like this. Somehow it smelled sweeter in here than Honeydukes.

The things a second year had to suffer to get some rice pudding and a nice cup of tea though. Honestly. It was almost like there wasn't a kitchen back at the castle with house elves willing to do your every bidding.

Tugging on the sleeves of her bright orange jumper after taking off her coat, they had become all scrunched up in the process, Sage placed her order and was now en route to finding herself somewhere to sit. She wished Bailey had tagged along with her and she felt like she was missing several limbs and half her brain with her twin sick back in the dorms, but it also gave her the excuse for a little extra shopping so she could bring some goodies back to her sister.

But...for now...where was she to sit...

She could insert herself at one of the tables where people were clearly on a date...just to see what would happen...

Now OBVIOUSLY Reuben Albert Darcy-Stemp would not be caught DEAD in the frilly teashop. Not usually, anyway. But when he saw the back of Sage's head, he couldn't help but follow her in, not really taking much note of the outside of the shop as he went.

When he got into it, he slowed suddenly. "Woah." It was all.... Gross. And so girly, with lacy stuff everywhere and couples being all couple-y. It was all he could do not to physically shudder at the sight! Merlin, what was he even doing in h- AHA, Sage!

That was why he'd come into the teashop. Following Sage! But not in a creepy way, just in a spotted-my-friend way.

Dodging around the couples being couple-y (and trying his hardest not to BARF ALL OVER THEM), Reuben popped up in front of Sage with a wide grin. "Hiya!"

*Holmesian Feline* · 03-13-2023, 03:03 AM

SPOILER!!: Coach

Pranking their dad…that would sure be great welcome to the man after missing the two girls for once. “I think you two are better off on your own in that…” Raj remarked to the negative with a shake of his head. “It’s more suspicious if I get involved.” Since he wasn’t nearly as practiced as they were in being sneaky. Not that he would rat them out. Nope, his lips would be sealed with whatever they came up with to announce their return to the fold.

Oooo new products to test out. That got Nadia’s curiosity raised. “YES! ” she agreed with a smirk. “I’m in.” The Gryffindor wondering just what they could do. The prankster was the best to try and get back at for the fun of it. “Awww…but he’d never suspect it because you would be involved.” Raj wouldn’t be believed as one of the pranksters.

FearlessLeader19 · 03-15-2023, 11:06 PM

SPOILER!!: Reluctant bro & eager sis! <3

There was truth to Raj’s words: it was true he wasn’t as good at pranks as she was but did this prevent Dy from continuing to pull her older brother’s leg? Not at all. “You,’’ she began, brandishing the crumpet at him. “Are afraid of getting caught.” The Hufflepuff then proceeded to take a bite of her snack while casting her sister another wink. One of Dynah’s hobbies was definitely giving Raj a difficult time.

But she could always count on sister loveliest! “I’m sure we can easily brainstorm something if we put our heads together!” Her eyes suddenly widened. “Nads, that’s a brilliant point though!” Awesome brain, twin! “Why wouldn’t you want to join us, Raj? Has your love faded for us from the time of getting our snacks to now?” Excuse her while the girl made cute puppy dog eyes.

*Holmesian Feline* · 03-19-2023, 10:32 PM

SPOILER!!: Dy

Rajesh raised his eyebrow at the threatening crumpet. He was almost attempted to try and bite it to see his sister’s response, but her words distracted him. “Am not…” he was quicker to defend, sipping from his glass. There were plenty of things to be more worried about. It came as no surprise that Nadia was in with the plan, the two of them were two peas in a pod and partners in all sorts of prank crimes over the years. And then she blew up his defense about not being involved being more beneficial to them and the prank in the long run which her sister only agreed with.

“You’re not supposed to pick that up…” he mused shaking his head. They was too smart for HIS good.

“Never and you know that,” the Ravenclaw remarked, knowing they would have to do something absolutely terrible and abhorrent to even be threatened to lose his love. His gaze looking off to the side as he also knew the puppy dog eyes directed his way. First from Dy and then from Nads. Their parents might claim it otherwise but he’s occasionally spied certain looks between them that worked the very same way, especially Dad’s. It was too powerful two on one.

“Fine…” he said, giving in eventually, “just don’t blame me if it goes wrong.”

The response gaining a smirk from the Gryffindor. "Of course not," Nadia assured him, exchanging a knowing look with her other half.

sweetpinkpixie · 03-22-2023, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harron Peasley

Now OBVIOUSLY Reuben Albert Darcy-Stemp would not be caught DEAD in the frilly teashop. Not usually, anyway. But when he saw the back of Sage's head, he couldn't help but follow her in, not really taking much note of the outside of the shop as he went.

When he got into it, he slowed suddenly. "Woah." It was all.... Gross. And so girly, with lacy stuff everywhere and couples being all couple-y. It was all he could do not to physically shudder at the sight! Merlin, what was he even doing in h- AHA, Sage!

That was why he'd come into the teashop. Following Sage! But not in a creepy way, just in a spotted-my-friend way.

Dodging around the couples being couple-y (and trying his hardest not to BARF ALL OVER THEM), Reuben popped up in front of Sage with a wide grin. "Hiya!"

For the briefest of moments, Sage found herself wondering if either of her dads had asked the other on a date here...but as soon as the thought had crossed her mind, she realized that she did not want to know the answer nor did she desire such a visual. The googly eyed couples were more than enough to make her regret breakfast. Uncle Zachaël surely had too. They all were extremely the type.

Her mind preoccupied with the mental gymnastics as to whether or not a cup of tea would kill her and her coin purse or not, the Slytherin jolted upright and kicked forward with a sharp DING against one of the legs of the table as she was joined by a very welcomed face. Welcomed, appreciated, but maybe a bit cliché and suggestive considering their current gag worthy company. She did not anticipate either of them making any serious fluttering eyelashes at one another so she could disembark from that train of thought immediately. Hopefully her twin would not walk by the front, peek in, and come to her own conclusions.

"Reuben, hey," she greeted with a smile as she relaxed her shoulders and eyes lit up just a bit more as suddenly her coin purse felt less endangered - it wasn't like she was earning an allowance while being at Hogwarts. "Let's go halfsies on something and NOT spoon feed it to one another because we aren't peculiar."

FearlessLeader19 · 03-24-2023, 12:15 AM

SPOILER!!: Raj & Nads! <3

Dy gave an almighty sniff as she finished up her crumpet and milk. Her little stomach was full now and she was quite ready for the next adventure of heading off to Zonko’s. But her expression turned soft as she eyed Raj again. Maybe she and Nads were teasing him a little too much. He probably wasn’t afraid of getting caught; in any case, their parents were quite cool, they weren’t the type to blow up over some prank.

“Fine, I do know!’’ Nads knew it too. Dy threw a triumphant look at her sister. YAAAS!! They had won! “Are you kidding? With Nads and I as the brain of the prank, nothing can go wrong.” Could she get a high five, sister? Don’t leave her hand hanging in the air. “Are you guys done eating? Zonko’s awaits!”

*Holmesian Feline* · 03-25-2023, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Dy gave an almighty sniff as she finished up her crumpet and milk. Her little stomach was full now and she was quite ready for the next adventure of heading off to Zonko’s. But her expression turned soft as she eyed Raj again. Maybe she and Nads were teasing him a little too much. He probably wasn’t afraid of getting caught; in any case, their parents were quite cool, they weren’t the type to blow up over some prank.

“Fine, I do know!’’ Nads knew it too. Dy threw a triumphant look at her sister. YAAAS!! They had won! “Are you kidding? With Nads and I as the brain of the prank, nothing can go wrong.” Could she get a high five, sister? Don’t leave her hand hanging in the air. “Are you guys done eating? Zonko’s awaits!”

Rajesh made himself relax, realizing he may have gotten a little wound up. “Good…” he mused smiling at Dy as he dusted off any crumbs to show he was okay…that they were okay. The seventh year nodding at her question. Yep, he was done and about ready to go on to their next stop as he could be. He got up to his feet and threw out their trash before coming back up behind his two siblings, putting an arm behind each of them. “All together now..."

Nadia wrapped up her leftover treats, stashing them in her bag. “Right…we’ll have it all covered,” she added, giving her other half the silently requested high five. “All ready,” the Gryffindor assured, moving to follow Raj up to their feet. Feeling the arm behind her, the first year found herself leaning slightly in his embrace for a moment enjoying the closeness. "Let's go!"

FearlessLeader19 · 03-29-2023, 12:28 AM

SPOILER!!: Raj & Nads! <3

And it suddenly clicked. Raj was a teddy bear! How had she not noticed this before? He was usually all serious but behind that, he was a softie. Just like papa Benny. With that realisation spinning in her mind, she finally wiped her buttered lips clean, just in time to add it to the trash pile before Rak took it away. Look at him taking care of them! Who was going to do that next term?

Following Nads’ lead after the returned highfive, Dy hopped out of her seat and threw herself against Raj’s side. “Yep, let’s go! My stomach’s all full - for now - and I’m ready for us to find the best prank!” This was going to be the most epic teamwork these three had ever done! It was with much eagerness that she followed her siblings out into the street once more.

MadMadamMalfoy · 02-17-2024, 10:10 PM

While Desiree had yet to find a Prince Charming of her own, she liked coming to Madame Puddifoot’s. It was usually less crowded than The Three Broomsticks and much nicer than The Hog’s Head! The romantic lace and flower patterned decor was just her taste!

She sat at a table near the window, channeling Jane Porter today in a yellow puff-sleeved dress, purple tie, and white boots. Her dark hair was up in a messy bun with a pen tucked behind her left ear. A cream tea sat before her, and the table was littered with university pamphlets.

Desiree was torn between two schools on opposite sides of the English Channel. She’d always wanted to attend her father’s alma mater, but she didn’t think she could leave her friends! Stay in the UK, or go to France? She thought, absentmindedly spreading jam on a scone.

Weasley174 · 02-18-2024, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

While Desiree had yet to find a Prince Charming of her own, she liked coming to Madame Puddifoot’s. It was usually less crowded than The Three Broomsticks and much nicer than The Hog’s Head! The romantic lace and flower patterned decor was just her taste!

She sat at a table near the window, channeling Jane Porter today in a yellow puff-sleeved dress, purple tie, and white boots. Her dark hair was up in a messy bun with a pen tucked behind her left ear. A cream tea sat before her, and the table was littered with university pamphlets.

Desiree was torn between two schools on opposite sides of the English Channel. She’d always wanted to attend her father’s alma mater, but she didn’t think she could leave her friends! Stay in the UK, or go to France? She thought, absentmindedly spreading jam on a scone.

Summer couldn't believe it, like seriously, how had Seven Years gone by so fast, when she had first started at Hogwarts, her mother had told her to enjoy it because time seemed to fly by and she had giggled at it, now though she was wishing she had paid attention as it had happened and this year was the last she would be at the school.

Summer had decided to head into hogsmeade to spend some time whilst she thought about a few things, like what she was going to do after Hogwarts, she hadn't a clue and hadn't really thought about it. Deciding that she would stop for a drink, she wanted somewhere that wasn't crowded so she could think, when she entered though she nearly screamed but managed to stop herself, instead she walked over to Desiree.

Summer, had on a lovely summer dress and her hair was done in a ponytail, she had thought about doing a messy-bun like Desiree had but boy was that a lot of work, at least with a ponytail, all you had to do was tied it up. "Hi Desiree." Summer smiled. "Mind if I joy you?" She stood there waiting for an answer. "And what are you doing?"

MadMadamMalfoy · 02-20-2024, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasley174

Summer couldn't believe it, like seriously, how had Seven Years gone by so fast, when she had first started at Hogwarts, her mother had told her to enjoy it because time seemed to fly by and she had giggled at it, now though she was wishing she had paid attention as it had happened and this year was the last she would be at the school.

Summer had decided to head into hogsmeade to spend some time whilst she thought about a few things, like what she was going to do after Hogwarts, she hadn't a clue and hadn't really thought about it. Deciding that she would stop for a drink, she wanted somewhere that wasn't crowded so she could think, when she entered though she nearly screamed but managed to stop herself, instead she walked over to Desiree.

Summer, had on a lovely summer dress and her hair was done in a ponytail, she had thought about doing a messy-bun like Desiree had but boy was that a lot of work, at least with a ponytail, all you had to do was tied it up. "Hi Desiree." Summer smiled. "Mind if I joy you?" She stood there waiting for an answer. "And what are you doing?"

Desiree was lost in thought, a half-nibbled scone in one hand and a pamphlet for Monvoisin University in the other, until a familiar voice distracted her. She looked up, her blue eyes lighting up at the sight of her friend. “Hi, Summer! I like your outfit,” she greeted with a smile and an extra princessy wave. “Please do! There’s no way I could eat all this by myself.”

She cleared her pamphlets off one end of the table to give Summer a place to sit. “Tea?” she offered, pouring a cup for her friend. She pondered the question a moment before answering, “Nothing much, just looking over some university pamphlets.”

Weasley174 · 02-22-2024, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

Desiree was lost in thought, a half-nibbled scone in one hand and a pamphlet for Monvoisin University in the other, until a familiar voice distracted her. She looked up, her blue eyes lighting up at the sight of her friend. “Hi, Summer! I like your outfit,” she greeted with a smile and an extra princessy wave. “Please do! There’s no way I could eat all this by myself.”

She cleared her pamphlets off one end of the table to give Summer a place to sit. “Tea?” she offered, pouring a cup for her friend. She pondered the question a moment before answering, “Nothing much, just looking over some university pamphlets.”

Summer smiled as Desiree said that she could join her and even pouring a cup of tea for her. "Thank you." Summer sat down and took a sip of her tea. "This is awesome." She was sure going to miss coming her when she left school and she made a mental note to visit the place a few times.

Summer looked towards Desiree and smiled. "Your outfit is awesome too." Summer then heard what Desiree was reading and her face fell, like seriously she probably should be thinking about things like that but she just couldn't bring herself to it. "Seen anything you like?"

MadMadamMalfoy · 02-22-2024, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasley174

Summer smiled as Desiree said that she could join her and even pouring a cup of tea for her. "Thank you." Summer sat down and took a sip of her tea. "This is awesome." She was sure going to miss coming her when she left school and she made a mental note to visit the place a few times.

Summer looked towards Desiree and smiled. "Your outfit is awesome too." Summer then heard what Desiree was reading and her face fell, like seriously she probably should be thinking about things like that but she just couldn't bring herself to it. "Seen anything you like?"

Desiree returned Summer’s smile with a warm one of her own. “Help yourself to anything,” she said, gesturing toward the many scones and jam as she poured another cup of tea for herself. Usually she preferred French pastries, but she wouldn’t say no to a good cream tea. Where was she going to find one of those if she went to school in France?

A fleeting thought crossed her mind, and she vaguely wondered if it was this hard for her parents to say goodbye to this place when they left Hogsmeade. Probably more so for her mum than her dad. He found Madame Puddifoot’s too cutesy, if she recalled correctly. She had to stifle a giggle at the idea of anything being too romantic for her hopeless romantic father!

Jerked out of her thoughts once again, Desiree smiled. “Thank you,” she replied, unable to resist getting up to do a princess twirl in her dress. “Do you get the Disney reference?” Her expression changed as she saw Summer’s face fall. How was she going to tell her she was considering a university in France? “More than one,” she replied, nodding, “and that’s the problem. I can’t decide which university to attend!”

sweetpinkpixie · 06-19-2024, 12:00 AM

How was it that a grown man, a decorated Magical Law Enforcement officer and headmaster of a wizarding school, could still feel like such a self-conscious teen. His choice of location was doing him no favors either but he had panicked under his old man's insistence and had blurted out the first place that came to mind - as if this place hadn't been the source of embarrassment during his Hogwarts days already. Maybe his brothers had a point and he was a sucker for pain after all. He really should have refused his father (how many of these had the man set him up on at this point?) but seeing as the man had apparently already received the green light from the other half of this duo down to the date and time, Ryu felt obligated to follow through. At the very least he could possibly leave today with a friend. It was about all he could hope at this point.

Parched kappas...he was too old for this.

His reluctance did not mean that he put in minimal effort, the former Gryffindor was a far cry from that sort of man, and had dressed up a little bit. This essentially meant that he was not in jeans but one of his nicer pair of of black suit trousers paired with dark dusty lilac sweater turtleneck and his favorite black leather jacket. He probably should have shaved too but at the moment running his palm over his 12 o'clock shadow was calming. He also came with a gift in hand, one that he had slipped into sleek black wine bottle bag despite its contents being entirely something different. The gift was not with him at present, however, and was instead nestled on a table he had procured inside the establishment to beat out the crowd of googly eyed sappier than a sugar maple tree teenagers for a spot - extra doilies not included.

"And now...we wait," he said to himself while leaning his hip against the lamp post and combing his hair with his fingers.

*Lottiepot* · 06-19-2024, 10:58 AM

When the Minister came calling, it was very hard to say no. Ruby had been politely declining his helpful suggestions for several months until his insistence (alongside the relentlessness of her mother who had been encouraging Ruby to ‘put herself’ out there for a while) combined with the guilt she felt for denying for so long had resulted in her to finally agree. It wasn’t that she was concerned about her blind date's personality or appearance, she was assured that he was a lovely man whose values aligned with her own but the Mediwitch lacked self-confidence and this was very much outside of her comfort zone.

It had taken her hours to deliberate over her attire, or rather she had sat on her bed entertaining her sister’s twins whilst Tabitha scoured through her wardrobe deliberating between casual and smart. In the end, the pair had decided on a simple dress, tights and heeled boots, a perfect in-between for the chilly Scottish weather. She’d also been given the run down on dating etiquette, about the perfect time to arrive without seeming over-eager but not too late that she seemed rude, about how much she should talk about herself compared to asking about him. It all seemed overly convoluted and unnecessarily complicated to her but she had paid attention and arrived at the agreed destination perfectly on time.

Speaking of the destination, Puddifoot’s would not have been her first choice for its close association with loved-up teenagers of whom she found marginally intimidating. How could it be that these kids were so persistent that they had ‘found the one’ when she at almost thirty-eight was still very much single. Never alone though, she had a close enough relationship with her family that the Broadmoor’s would never allow her to feel loneliness.

The advantage of choosing Hogsmeade was that it wasn’t hard to spot the man in a sea of students. “You must be Ryu” she smiled as she approached, swallowing back any nervousness she was feeling to appear cool, calm and collected and deliberating whether it would be too formal to hold her hand out for a handshake.

Think swan, not ugly duckling.

sweetpinkpixie · 06-20-2024, 08:16 AM

Ryu was beginning to wonder why he subscribed to the mentality that five minutes early was already ten minutes late as he brushed a bit of freshly fallen snow off his shoulders. It wasn't snowing particularly hard but the frozen crystals felt almost as if they were teasing him which in turn amplified the anticipation and anxiousness already twisting his stomach into knots. Were he to have arrived just barely on time, he would no have had any time to think and simply been forced to dive right into this blind date on instinct and whatever was left of his boyish Gryffindor charm alone.

He suddenly felt as if all the color had drained from his face (it hadn't and if anything his features looked more alive thanks to the cold air rouging his cheeks and the tip of his nose) when he heard her voice and saw her shadow in his peripheral vision. Closing his eyes, Ryu took a steading deep breath and pivoted to greet the poor woman persuaded to perform a bit of charity and go on a date with him. It wasn't her fault that he was exhausted by his father's antics, so he wouldn't be taking out any of his frustrations nor weariness on her and would do his best to show her a good time. Whether it was all that built up anxiety that did it or something...else...Ryu found all the air suddenly exiting his lungs and it was with great effort that was able to say anything at all. "Yes, and you must be Ruby," he replied with an almost apologetic smile before offering his hand for a shake which would turn into a quick kiss to the back of her hand - this was not a business meeting even if it sure felt like it since it was practically mandated by the Minister of Magic. "Thank you for coming. I...appreciate the effort." For coming out here, for putting up with his old man, for mirroring his own nervousness in her smile. "Has anyone ever told you that you have remarkable brown eyes?"

*Lottiepot* · 06-20-2024, 04:24 PM

She’d hope that Ryu’s breathlessness was a result of her taking his breath away in the most positive of ways and not because she was a disappointment and it had come as a surprise to the poor man. Ruby may not have had the glamour of her older sister or the timeless grace of her mother, she’d of described herself as a ‘plain Jane’ whose makeup was subtle and clothing reflected simplicity and comfort and didn’t necessarily subscribe to the trends of the day. What she did portray was an open book, the sort of woman who wore her heart on her sleeve and who put everyone else's needs before her own.

He at least broke the ice by offering his own hand which she gladly took in her own before it was lifted up and a kiss planted on the back of it. The colour rose to her cheeks although that too could be played off by the chilly weather and not because any sign of physical affection usually resulted in a girlish shyness. “Your father has certainly sung your praises” she admitted, trying her best to keep eye contact without feeling like a nervous school girl. “I must admit, I haven’t done this in a while.” A blind date she meant, any attempts at dating recently had resulted in close friendships and nothing more. If anything she should be thanking him for bothering with her, her reluctance had nothing to do with concern over him but rather concern that she wasn’t good enough or experienced enough or worthy enough.

Perhaps Puddifoots was a perfect choice for this date considering the awkwardness the pair was exuding, they were fitting right in. Even more so when that compliment came and any ‘cool and confident’ front she had put up seemingly melted away. “Oh. I suppose I have my mother to thank for those” she blushed, briefly glancing at her feet in an attempt to disguise the expression on her face.

sweetpinkpixie · 06-21-2024, 10:09 PM

They certainly would be finding out what happened when two people with self-deprecatory personalities got together for a cuppa in saccharine establishment with so many doilies that an antique show would be jealous. It was an oddly specific situation to wonder the outcome of, but it was fairly close to the one one Ryu's mind currently.

"Ah," he mumbled as he let go of her hand and immediately moved to scratch the patch of hair just above his right ear. "Father...has a certain exhausting enthusiasm about him when it comes to his children." And he did not even want to begin to speculate what sort of ridiculous and humiliating nicknames the man had assigned to his ~~once~~ eldest son when pitching this idea. "I suppose another thank you is in order for putting up with all that," he continued, even managing a small laugh. "He is horrendously persistent." More thanks were in order as well, more obvious ones such as St. Mungo's continued care of his father with his recovery but it certainly seemed in poor taste to bring up a war and its causalities on a first date and especially a blind one. "Nor...have I." Something he was sure his father not-so-casually alluded to either, but Ryu would very much like to not dwell on that and fuel the awkwardness already coursing through his veins. "But...here we are...and probably for the best that we get out of this snow," he smiled with a gesture towards the door that he then pulled open for her.

He smile grew just enough to show a little peek of his teeth. "Can't deny that having good genes does help," he mused, himself and his brothers likewise receiving their eyes more from their mother than those of their father. Save for his sister who had eyes the color of neither but rather those the result of father's magic. Truly fascinating information that he was sure she would not yawn over. "I procured us a table just over there," he added now that the door was open. "Over by the corner window. It's the table just there with the gift bag upon it."

*Lottiepot* · 06-23-2024, 08:44 PM

“I think it’s endearing” Ruby swiftly reassured Ryu that despite the Minister’s particular persistence with setting his son up with a date, she didn’t see it as a negative. “He obviously thinks very highly of you as a potential match. Do you not think that your relationship with your parents can paint a picture of how important family is to you?” Perhaps as important as it was to her? Ruby was incredibly close to her parents, to her siblings, to her wider familial unit in general, it saddened her to think that others weren’t so. She understood why some people lacked that connection with their family and in many cases a clean break could be warranted, she could just never be that person herself. “And being the Minister of Magic, I’d gather he was a particularly good judge of character.” He’d surely met enough people of all walks of life to know the difference. All that was to say that even with her initial reluctance, Ruby wasn’t taking this date as a charitable cause.

She was, after all, equally as shy and out-of-practice and self-deprecating and hadn’t considered herself enough of a catch to warrant gaining that type of attention. It hadn’t worked out for her before, why would it be any different now? [b]“Thank you for taking pity on me” she laughed a little, stepping through the door, brushing off the flurry of snow that had landed on her shoulder and casting a hot air charm on them both to eliminate the dampness from their clothes. “You have your father’s charm.” Which might have been more to do with nurture rather than nature but it was still a beautifully positive thing to inherit nevertheless.

Stepping into the tea shop was like being struck by a sickeningly sweet sense of nostalgia. The smell of freshly baked goods wafting from the kitchen, the lacy decor reminiscent of an old-lady’s front room, the slightly alarming number of much younger couples.. She hadn’t been ‘lucky’ enough to frequent the establishment much as a student, let alone as an adult who was supposed to have her entire life procured by now. Her eyes glanced over at the thankfully more secluded table away from the centre of the room. Her stomach dropped a little at the sight of the gift however, it hadn’t even crossed her mind that she had appeared empty handed. “You didn’t have to buy me anything” she turned to her companion with a mildly sheepish expression. Unless that present wasn’t for her in which case she had just made an absolute fool of herself for assuming it was.

How were people so natural with this?!

sweetpinkpixie · 07-02-2024, 04:29 AM

Ryu really could not resist the chuckle that began in his stomach and escaped through his almost grinning mouth. Endearing was a word that he heard often with regards to his father and could recall all too well how painfully awkward it had been as a teen to have friends, regardless of gender, describe your overbearing parent as such. Still, there were a great many more worse things to be considered and there was some relief that at least Ruby had entered this agreement in good spirits and not entirely because she had been worn down and had only agreed to get the man off her back about it. "That is certainly one way to think about it," he nodded with a sheepish rub to the back of his neck. Only half of the story, in his opinion, and not the sort of discussion to dive into on a first (and potentially only) date. Nor was his family's rather ... complicated ... family history, but certain elements of it would inevitably unavoidable. He could even feel certain nagging scratches surfacing already with her words. "Well, family is everything to me. I would, and have, dropped everything to be there for my brothers and sister when the need arose, and fought alongside my old man in the war."

So, perhaps they could let all that speak for itself. At least he was as he offered her another smile, and resisted making too obvious of a gagging face at his charm being comparable to the Minister's, before following her inside of the tea shop and ensuring that the door closed quietly behind them. The little bell on the door or wherever the DING had come from had drawn enough attention from other ~~significantly younger~~ patrons.

"Well, it may then please you to know that I did not, in fact, purchase anything," he assured her as he gestured to the table and pulled out the nearest chair for her to sit. None of this would be considered 'charm' to the Gryffindor but rather manners an etiquette...which was perhaps why these steps came naturally to him. "Much more of a...foraging, effort." Down to the vase in which the couple of branches from one of the numerous plum trees in the garden and grounds surrounding Himitsumahou. He would have offered a branch adorned with cherry blossoms were it a bit later in the year, but he often found plum blossoms to be the more exquisite between the flora and the one far too often overshadowed by its symbol of spring counterpart and the particular branches he had cut and placed in the jar (Suoubai) among his favorite blossoms in existence. "They have traveled all the way from Japan to meet you and I would be very much relieved if you accepted them," he teased gently with a chuckle.

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