The loneliness of the Cascades compared to all of those solitary nights spent in the lab back at Harvard, and Allison couldn't help but sympathize with Torsten. Still, the thought of being able to be in such a beautiful place would have made up for the lack of socialization. After all, Allison had spent the last eight years rather isolated between college and then medical school, always bogged down with classes and studying, not to mention the late night labs. It was hard to remember the last time she had had a spare moment to be a real person, to go out and have a little fun. Torsten didn't seem like the partying type, but he had a warm personality, the type of guy who should have had all the friends in the world.
After dinner, Allison rose from the couch, wanting to help Torsten with the dishes. She felt guilty for imposing on him this way, and he had been so kind to her. “Are you sure?” she asked, ending up leaned against the counter in the small kitchen. The thought of her host being mauled by bears wasn't pleasant, and she didn't like that he felt the need to give up his bed just for her. Still, he seemed to insist and thought nothing of it as he moved about the cabin and drew a gun from a small box hidden in a chest by the bed. He certainly did have a lot of weapons, but Allison wasn't afraid.
Torsten's explanation left Allison feeling a bit embarrassed, having not realized he was so traditional. She supposed she forgot that some people weren't comfortable sharing a space with someone of the opposite sex, and she respected his decision, smiling at the bits of Finnish peeking into his sentences. “Thank you,” she returned his goodnight with a smile, “sleep well.”
The thought of being up by four in the morning caused Allison to frown, but she was tired enough from the drive and commotion to sleep through the night. Whatever time it was, she would get a few good hours in before morning, and be good to go with Torsten to the Amish community. She was ready to get to her apartment, feeling that she would finally be able to relax once she was in Portland. Putting the notion of never getting there out of her mind, Allison turned down the heavy quilt on the bed and slipped her shoes off before getting beneath the covers. Sleeping in her jeans wasn't comfortable, but she would have felt disrespectful to be sleeping in anything else.
Rest came easily that night, and Allison didn't dream at all she slept peacefully, warm and cozy in a modest bed. A knock on the door jarred her from her sleep, and Allison gave a displeased huff into the pillow, before turning over and getting up. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes and looking out the window, Allison could see that it was still dark outside—it must have been four o'clock. “I'm up,” she called, hoping Torsten would be able to hear her.
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Oh, I must have missed them D: It's been a while since I've seen either.
I like that. I could see Katniss's stubbornness really interfering with the plan at some point and Prim and Gale getting frustrated with her, and Haymitch as well. Maybe Haymitch could even become suspicious of Gale and Prim in the later parts of our arena scenes.
I'd rather have them in the wilds to start off with as well. I think if we really have to later on, we could involve 13, but it's a hard setting for me to work with. I never really found myself connecting with it while I read Mockingjay. We could involve him, maybe he's the reason our group eventually moves on from the wilds to 13.
I like that. I could see Katniss's stubbornness really interfering with the plan at some point and Prim and Gale getting frustrated with her, and Haymitch as well. Maybe Haymitch could even become suspicious of Gale and Prim in the later parts of our arena scenes.
I'd rather have them in the wilds to start off with as well. I think if we really have to later on, we could involve 13, but it's a hard setting for me to work with. I never really found myself connecting with it while I read Mockingjay. We could involve him, maybe he's the reason our group eventually moves on from the wilds to 13.
Spoiling the night wasn't on Teddy's list of things to do, and if leaving meant avoiding a fight that was long overdue between himself and Victoire, then it was simply easier to walk away. The past shouldn't have been an issue for him, and their relationship had been over for quite some time anyway, Teddy knew that he had been foolish to think that Victoire would be anything but awkward with him considering the way in which they parted. Deep in his heart, Teddy knew that he should not have been cross with her, and letting it go was the logical thing to do—just stay away, but it was difficult when she was right there and he had so many things to say, so many questions to ask.
The last thing Teddy expected was for the blonde girl to come after him, or even reach out to physically touch him. His stride paused and he turned back to her, his eyebrows raised expectantly. Suddenly, she was that same girl he had once known back at Hogwarts, anxious and demure, the type that never wanted to leave a fight with no resolution. Briefly, he wondered where that Victoire had been when they had been shouting at each other, when they had said things they could never take back.
For the next several minutes, Teddy planned to remain neutral, just wanting to get through this conversation so that he could leave, and she could have her family back. It hadn't been right for him to think that he belonged there, and part of him wondered if he was the reason that Victoire hadn't been around in such a long time. On top of that, he thought that maybe she and the rest of the family resented him for driving her away. It was frightening to consider that he had been in the wrong this entire time.
Adding to the surprise was Victoire's apology. It was a bittersweet thing to hear—she was sorry for being insensitive, but she wasn't sorry for anything else. Again, Teddy didn't know what he had been expecting, or why he was still standing there, but he had always tried to be polite. When she let go of his wrist, he felt the same sense of loss that he had moments before when they had finished their dance. That same hollow feeling tamped down his anger, and Teddy was left feeling deflated. Why was it so hard to show her how upset he was?
“It's...fine. Don't worry about it, okay?” His face was a mask, hiding his emotions as he looked down at her, and then away. It was hard to keep his attention on Victoire for too long. “I shouldn't expect you to be excited about it, especially with the nonsense Rita always writes,” he added with a curt laugh.
He could still see into the opening of the tent, and there were a few Weasley's gathered around and peering back out at them. It was awkward and strange that people were curious about what would happen, but Teddy couldn't stop them from being curious. He turned back to Victoire, managing a small smile. “I should get going,” he mentioned, “it's been a long day.” It hadn't, actually, and Teddy still had a lot left in him, but running was a much easier option.
The last thing Teddy expected was for the blonde girl to come after him, or even reach out to physically touch him. His stride paused and he turned back to her, his eyebrows raised expectantly. Suddenly, she was that same girl he had once known back at Hogwarts, anxious and demure, the type that never wanted to leave a fight with no resolution. Briefly, he wondered where that Victoire had been when they had been shouting at each other, when they had said things they could never take back.
For the next several minutes, Teddy planned to remain neutral, just wanting to get through this conversation so that he could leave, and she could have her family back. It hadn't been right for him to think that he belonged there, and part of him wondered if he was the reason that Victoire hadn't been around in such a long time. On top of that, he thought that maybe she and the rest of the family resented him for driving her away. It was frightening to consider that he had been in the wrong this entire time.
Adding to the surprise was Victoire's apology. It was a bittersweet thing to hear—she was sorry for being insensitive, but she wasn't sorry for anything else. Again, Teddy didn't know what he had been expecting, or why he was still standing there, but he had always tried to be polite. When she let go of his wrist, he felt the same sense of loss that he had moments before when they had finished their dance. That same hollow feeling tamped down his anger, and Teddy was left feeling deflated. Why was it so hard to show her how upset he was?
“It's...fine. Don't worry about it, okay?” His face was a mask, hiding his emotions as he looked down at her, and then away. It was hard to keep his attention on Victoire for too long. “I shouldn't expect you to be excited about it, especially with the nonsense Rita always writes,” he added with a curt laugh.
He could still see into the opening of the tent, and there were a few Weasley's gathered around and peering back out at them. It was awkward and strange that people were curious about what would happen, but Teddy couldn't stop them from being curious. He turned back to Victoire, managing a small smile. “I should get going,” he mentioned, “it's been a long day.” It hadn't, actually, and Teddy still had a lot left in him, but running was a much easier option.
I was busy today and I'm busy tomorrow. I'm aiming to get you a reply by Sunday at the latest! Just letting you know I'm not flaking on this.
I don't know if I'll be able to reply tonight, and I'm pretty sure my Saturday is going to be a busy one. I promise to get you a reply by Sunday at the latest! I don't want you to think I forgot about this.
In a way, Charlotte could easily guess what Noah would have pegged her for. She knew what she looked like, and where she came from, and if anything she was destined to become a housewife like her mother. The dark-haired girl wanted more than that, though, and she never had been particularly gifted when it came to maintaining a home or taking care of children. There was just something fascinating in the way the minds of consumers worked, and Charlotte had always been curious about why some products were popular and others weren't. She didn't bother explaining any of that to Noah, and she figured he wasn't interested to begin with. There was still a part of her that thought he was just being polite to her.
Instead, she listened as he talked of his current job, the family auto shop and what he would rather be doing. He looked like an artsy individual and Charlotte didn't see any reason that he couldn't have gone to school and made his dream of designing buildings a reality. “Sounds like their loss then,” she said, rocking back on her heels as she waited with him at the crosswalk and continued to sip her drink. “I hope you get to do what you really want one day.”
They continued to walk, crossing the street and Charlotte walked by Noah's side until they were outside of the restaurant. She looked over at the window, barely able to pick out her friends toward the back of the place and she was sure they hadn't seen her yet. It would be rude to ditch them, wouldn't it? She smiled up at Noah, thankful that he had been so kind to her. “Thanks for walking me,” she said, tossing her free hand up in a lazy wave goodbye. “Have a good day, alright?” She turned then, walking toward the door before something made her pause mid-step. She really didn't want to go yet and Noah was someone she really wanted to know.
“I'm more of a mimosa person,” she announced, turning back to him with a slight grin. “Do you want to hang out, or something? Is that a weird thing to ask?” She hoped not.
Instead, she listened as he talked of his current job, the family auto shop and what he would rather be doing. He looked like an artsy individual and Charlotte didn't see any reason that he couldn't have gone to school and made his dream of designing buildings a reality. “Sounds like their loss then,” she said, rocking back on her heels as she waited with him at the crosswalk and continued to sip her drink. “I hope you get to do what you really want one day.”
They continued to walk, crossing the street and Charlotte walked by Noah's side until they were outside of the restaurant. She looked over at the window, barely able to pick out her friends toward the back of the place and she was sure they hadn't seen her yet. It would be rude to ditch them, wouldn't it? She smiled up at Noah, thankful that he had been so kind to her. “Thanks for walking me,” she said, tossing her free hand up in a lazy wave goodbye. “Have a good day, alright?” She turned then, walking toward the door before something made her pause mid-step. She really didn't want to go yet and Noah was someone she really wanted to know.
“I'm more of a mimosa person,” she announced, turning back to him with a slight grin. “Do you want to hang out, or something? Is that a weird thing to ask?” She hoped not.
As the road became less barren and the trees began to space out, Norris turned his attention toward the town outside of the window as his friends chatted about what they wanted to do that night. While they were still in Florida for the time being, this town was still a new place—unexplored and full of possibility—Norris wanted to get everything he could out of this trip and if night one meant milling about a town that looked similar to the one he came from, he would make the most of it. At the very least, he was with his friends, and Caleb, Cara and Elissa never failed to turn even the most boring of places into an infinite source of entertainment.
When he was shoved by Elissa, Norris couldn't help but laugh. “You know what I meant,” he grinned back at her, giving her leg a nudge with his foot. He knew that she wasn't mad at him, and as a couple, he could count on one hand the number of fights they had ever been in. Elissa was easy to get along with, pretty much the ideal girl for him.
Cara weighed the options of the night, and decided that the beach sounded like the best bet. She was sure that Elissa and Norris would sneak off somewhere, which left her with some alone to share with Caleb. Hiding their relationship wasn't going to be easy when they were in such close proximity of Elissa and Norris, but the blonde girl would take what she could get. Besides, a walk along the beach with the accompaniment of the stars sounded perfectly romantic. “Beach sounds perfect,” she agreed with an excited smile as she finished folding the map. She tossed the paper back into the front seat and grabbed her bag from the counter in the small kitchen. “What are you guys hungry for?”
Turning to Caleb, she gave him a playful nudge. “Let me guess; a burger, right?”
Norris accepted Elissa's hands and got up from the couch. It was probably a little too fast for him, because the head rush that came with standing almost caused him to sit right back down. He had already taken his pills for the day, but the dizziness was just something that happened from time to time, there was no helping it. He did his best to ignore it, and not draw attention to the fact that something was wrong. He didn't want to slow his friends down just because he was feeling a little disconnected from the world around him, and he told himself that this would pass by the time they decided on something to eat.
“You know Caleb,” he joked, managing a smile as he draped his arm over Elissa's shoulders, “he'll eat anything.” After giving his girlfriend's head a kiss, Norris headed for the door, ready to start walking and get some food.
When he was shoved by Elissa, Norris couldn't help but laugh. “You know what I meant,” he grinned back at her, giving her leg a nudge with his foot. He knew that she wasn't mad at him, and as a couple, he could count on one hand the number of fights they had ever been in. Elissa was easy to get along with, pretty much the ideal girl for him.
Cara weighed the options of the night, and decided that the beach sounded like the best bet. She was sure that Elissa and Norris would sneak off somewhere, which left her with some alone to share with Caleb. Hiding their relationship wasn't going to be easy when they were in such close proximity of Elissa and Norris, but the blonde girl would take what she could get. Besides, a walk along the beach with the accompaniment of the stars sounded perfectly romantic. “Beach sounds perfect,” she agreed with an excited smile as she finished folding the map. She tossed the paper back into the front seat and grabbed her bag from the counter in the small kitchen. “What are you guys hungry for?”
Turning to Caleb, she gave him a playful nudge. “Let me guess; a burger, right?”
Norris accepted Elissa's hands and got up from the couch. It was probably a little too fast for him, because the head rush that came with standing almost caused him to sit right back down. He had already taken his pills for the day, but the dizziness was just something that happened from time to time, there was no helping it. He did his best to ignore it, and not draw attention to the fact that something was wrong. He didn't want to slow his friends down just because he was feeling a little disconnected from the world around him, and he told himself that this would pass by the time they decided on something to eat.
“You know Caleb,” he joked, managing a smile as he draped his arm over Elissa's shoulders, “he'll eat anything.” After giving his girlfriend's head a kiss, Norris headed for the door, ready to start walking and get some food.
James took another drink from his coffee cup, finding the beige liquid inside was the perfect temperature to not completely scald his mouth. He savored the taste as he listened to the other man, agreeing that it was coincidental that they would both be heading over to the hospital. For some reason, the sandy-haired man hadn't expected to meet anyone who worked across the street at the coffee shop, even though it made sense for the staff to flock to the nearest source of quality caffeine. In a way, it was nice to have met someone already, it made a new environment a little less intimidating.
Even more of a coincidence was Gabriel's field of study, and that only piqued James' interest further. If it weren't for how rapidly the other man was speaking, James would have already introduced himself. In the high-pressure world of medicine, it wasn't uncommon for people to be all about themselves in their free time and during medical school, James had been guilty of it himself. Every now and then he forgot how to relate to people, and long nights of studying had eroded a few of his social graces. He didn't blame Gabriel for his fast-talking introduction, but he was a little embarrassed about having to explain who he wasn't.
“I'm actually a resident,” said James, followed by a small laugh as he got the door for Gabriel on their way out. “But my specialty is going to be cardiology. It's a little early for all of these coincidences, don't you think?” That had been his attempt at a joke, but he was a little worried that Doctor Morris would no longer be interested in the conversation now that he knew James was a lowly first year resident.
Taking another sip of his coffee, James cleared his throat. “I'm James, by the way. It's nice to meet you.” He felt a little awkward now, but he was sure that it would pass in time.
Even more of a coincidence was Gabriel's field of study, and that only piqued James' interest further. If it weren't for how rapidly the other man was speaking, James would have already introduced himself. In the high-pressure world of medicine, it wasn't uncommon for people to be all about themselves in their free time and during medical school, James had been guilty of it himself. Every now and then he forgot how to relate to people, and long nights of studying had eroded a few of his social graces. He didn't blame Gabriel for his fast-talking introduction, but he was a little embarrassed about having to explain who he wasn't.
“I'm actually a resident,” said James, followed by a small laugh as he got the door for Gabriel on their way out. “But my specialty is going to be cardiology. It's a little early for all of these coincidences, don't you think?” That had been his attempt at a joke, but he was a little worried that Doctor Morris would no longer be interested in the conversation now that he knew James was a lowly first year resident.
Taking another sip of his coffee, James cleared his throat. “I'm James, by the way. It's nice to meet you.” He felt a little awkward now, but he was sure that it would pass in time.
Allison was used to people being impressed when she mentioned her career. It wasn't that she was full of herself, or that she had gone into medicine looking for praise, but doctors and scientists were often valued across the world. There was something a little different about Torsten's recognition, though, it seemed a little more genuine and the tone he conveyed was refreshing. If only she was the kind of doctor he was thinking of, she would have promised not to let him down. “Thank you,” she smiled modestly. “I'm studying to be a surgeon, actually. More specifically in the ER.” There was something very soothing about high pressure situations, and Allison tended to thrive. That path only seemed natural in her career.
When the stew was ready, Allison moved about the kitchen, not wanting to get in Torsten's way as he served them dinner. It smelled delicious, and after a long day on the road full of strange events, she was more than ready to eat. “Do you like it?” she asked, curious about his work with the bears. Knowing that his parents had been physicists, Allison wondered why he hadn't gone into that field himself, or at least something to do with science. She wanted to ask, but didn't feel as though it was her place.
She settled down on the couch with him and dipped her spoon into the stew, blowing on it before taking a bite. It was just as savory and satisfying as it smelled, and Allison didn't even mind that the meat was venison. Back east, she was used to seafood, but she was always more than willing to try new things. Taking another bite, she nodded as Torsten spoke of the plan for tomorrow. Walking to the Amish community didn't seem all that bad, and she doubted the boots were going to break the bank. She had plenty of money on her credit card, hardly one to carry cash when plastic was just easier.
“Outside with the bears?” she asked, raising a dark eyebrow. Allison thought it was kind of him to offer her the bed for the night, but this was his house and that hardly seemed fair. “I can sleep on the couch,” she told him, balancing her bowl of stew on her thigh as she pressed down on the fabric with her free hand. It was still springy and resistant, comfortable enough for a night. “Really, you don't have to give me your bed.” Truthfully, she was just thankful that she wouldn't have to camp out in her car.
When the stew was ready, Allison moved about the kitchen, not wanting to get in Torsten's way as he served them dinner. It smelled delicious, and after a long day on the road full of strange events, she was more than ready to eat. “Do you like it?” she asked, curious about his work with the bears. Knowing that his parents had been physicists, Allison wondered why he hadn't gone into that field himself, or at least something to do with science. She wanted to ask, but didn't feel as though it was her place.
She settled down on the couch with him and dipped her spoon into the stew, blowing on it before taking a bite. It was just as savory and satisfying as it smelled, and Allison didn't even mind that the meat was venison. Back east, she was used to seafood, but she was always more than willing to try new things. Taking another bite, she nodded as Torsten spoke of the plan for tomorrow. Walking to the Amish community didn't seem all that bad, and she doubted the boots were going to break the bank. She had plenty of money on her credit card, hardly one to carry cash when plastic was just easier.
“Outside with the bears?” she asked, raising a dark eyebrow. Allison thought it was kind of him to offer her the bed for the night, but this was his house and that hardly seemed fair. “I can sleep on the couch,” she told him, balancing her bowl of stew on her thigh as she pressed down on the fabric with her free hand. It was still springy and resistant, comfortable enough for a night. “Really, you don't have to give me your bed.” Truthfully, she was just thankful that she wouldn't have to camp out in her car.
Somehow, Teddy got the impression from Victoire's tone and choice of words that she wasn't exactly supportive of his career choices. Over the years, he had had his fair share of qualms with the Daily Prophet, hardly appreciating the articles that had been written about him and the rest of his family. It was Rita Skeeter's doing, always so obsessed and interested in what the children and relatives of Harry Potter were up to. When he had been younger, Teddy hadn't been able to sneeze wrong without it ended up in the paper. Rita was older now, though, and most people actually cared about the news rather than the unnecessary gossip column. If Teddy had thought that the paper was out to do he and his family harm, he wouldn't have worked for them as long as he had.
Had Teddy been thinking a little more clearly, he would have made an attempt to understand Victoire's indignation. It was true that Rita had always been harder on the girls of the family, and that expose` written about the both of them during the World Cup had been particularly upsetting. However, the metamorphagus was in no mood to defend himself or his career choices to her. As it stood, he had praised the blond girl for her achievements in healing, and he didn't understand why she couldn't at least pretend to be a little more happy for him.
“Are you sure you meant that?” he asked blandly, turning her one last time before the song ended and faded into something new. He pulled away from her after, not bothering to linger when he was angry. “Because it doesn't sound like you think it's exciting.”
Asking her to dance really had been a mistake, Teddy was sure of it now. He found himself annoyed with their conversation, unsure of why he had expected it to be normal. How he ever thought that things would pick up where they left off was beyond him, because at this point, Teddy didn't even think they could be friends. With the years between them, it was clear that they were now different people, and it should have been left at that. He was beginning to think that even showing up to the night's party was a bad choice. After all, the Weasley's and the Potter's were her family; he was just some mutt that had gotten dumped on a Harry and Ginny after the fact.
They were looking now, her family, probably wary of what was going to happen. Teddy hadn't wanted to cause a scene—he was far too old for that—too mature, and too male. It was unfortunate that Teddy could only take so much, and after years of pushing away and shoving down his feelings, they were at risk of coming out in front of a whole room over one polite line of praise.
Shaking his head, Teddy got a hold of himself. “Never mind. Forget it.” He was just going to leave, it would be easier that way. “Nice seeing you. Good luck with the hospital.” Walking away from her, Teddy hoped to slip away unnoticed. This would be the last family party, or anything that he would be attending.
Had Teddy been thinking a little more clearly, he would have made an attempt to understand Victoire's indignation. It was true that Rita had always been harder on the girls of the family, and that expose` written about the both of them during the World Cup had been particularly upsetting. However, the metamorphagus was in no mood to defend himself or his career choices to her. As it stood, he had praised the blond girl for her achievements in healing, and he didn't understand why she couldn't at least pretend to be a little more happy for him.
“Are you sure you meant that?” he asked blandly, turning her one last time before the song ended and faded into something new. He pulled away from her after, not bothering to linger when he was angry. “Because it doesn't sound like you think it's exciting.”
Asking her to dance really had been a mistake, Teddy was sure of it now. He found himself annoyed with their conversation, unsure of why he had expected it to be normal. How he ever thought that things would pick up where they left off was beyond him, because at this point, Teddy didn't even think they could be friends. With the years between them, it was clear that they were now different people, and it should have been left at that. He was beginning to think that even showing up to the night's party was a bad choice. After all, the Weasley's and the Potter's were her family; he was just some mutt that had gotten dumped on a Harry and Ginny after the fact.
They were looking now, her family, probably wary of what was going to happen. Teddy hadn't wanted to cause a scene—he was far too old for that—too mature, and too male. It was unfortunate that Teddy could only take so much, and after years of pushing away and shoving down his feelings, they were at risk of coming out in front of a whole room over one polite line of praise.
Shaking his head, Teddy got a hold of himself. “Never mind. Forget it.” He was just going to leave, it would be easier that way. “Nice seeing you. Good luck with the hospital.” Walking away from her, Teddy hoped to slip away unnoticed. This would be the last family party, or anything that he would be attending.
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