RP: A Wild Goose Chase?

[shh_remus]

Date: 30 January 2005
Character(s): Remus, Cedric
Location: The Museum
Status: Private
Summary: Remus goes to see just what Cedric wanted.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_cedric]

Cedric felt the wards shift and rose from his desk, heading downstairs to see who it was. It could only be a limited number of people, and Sanguini was already at work. Thumping down the stairs, he found Remus Lupin near the door on the ground floor.

"Remus, I'm glad you could come. What do you think of the place?" He spread his arms. "How are you?"

[shh_remus]

Remus smiled, hearing Cedric's voice. He waved in greeting, walking further into the museum to meet Cedric. Gawking as he walked. "It's amazing. I can't believe how much has been done to the place. Well... then again, this is my first trip here, but when last we talked it was nothing more than an idea."

Remus flushed slightly in embarrassment. "Anyway, I'm fine. As fine as I can be given the date but that's nothing new." He inclined his head towards Cedric. "And you? Aside from being quite busy I'd assume."

[shh_cedric]

"I'm doing all right. And yes," he grinned because he couldn't help it, "I reckon it has come a long way."

At Remus' mention of what day it was, Cedric frowned slightly. "Actually, I have something that, I don't know, might help." He waved a hand and turned. "Come upstairs. I'll show you."

[shh_remus]

"I can only imagine where you'll take it," Remus said with a bit of a laugh. "If this is how far you've come in only a couple of months, I can only imagine where you'll take it in the months to come."

Remus's brow furrowed. Something that would help? It was only sheer morbid curiosity that made Remus's feet follow Cedric upstairs. "Something to help?" He rubbed the back of his neck. And still he followed. They said curiosity killed the cat... so what killed the werewolf?

[shh_cedric]

Back in his office, Cedric returned to his desk and pulled open a drawer. Drawing out a small bit of soft suede, he unfolded it so that what lay inside was visible. A silver bracelet cuff with a wolf's paw. It was none too different from the protection bracelet Gwen had spelled for him, some years back.

"That's for you. It's got a ... healing spell on it, put there by a friend. He's senior meda for his tribe. It won't stop you from turning -- he says he can't do that -- but it might make it easier. He's really not sure. He's never met a European werewolf before. Wendigo, yes, werewolves, no." Cedric smiled faintly. "He asked me a lot of questions. I think he's very curious about you

[shh_remus]

Remus took the package from Cedric, fingers rubbing across the soft suede. He set the fabric on the desk in favour of turning the small amulet over in his hands. His thumb ran across the raised wolf paw print thoughtfully. Cedric... had thought to do this for him? Remus felt a darker blush spreading across his cheeks. No one had ever cared this much. Well, a couple had, but Remus hadn't had their company in quite some time.

"I cannot imagine not changing," Remus said softly. "I know how often I wish I couldn't, but in the end... I cannot imagine not going through the transformation. It's been part of my life for more years than I care to remember."

He smiled slightly, still turning the bracelet over in his hands. He wasn't sure how he felt about someone he didn't know knowing so much about him, but then again, he did trust Cedric's judgment. Remus slipped the bracelet onto his left wrist, the metal cool against his skin

[shh_cedric]

Cedric smiled at the hug, and squeezed back briefly before Remus let him go. He didn't really know how to explain to Remus why he'd felt compelled to do this. "There is ... There's a sacred hoop to which we all belong." Cedric drew a hoop in the air with his finger, in illustration

"The Ojibway tend to see magic differently. Medicine people belong to the tribe; they don't separate out -- live separately. They were called by the spirits, given certain gifts and responsibilities. It's their duty to serve the community, and the community, in turn, protects and supports them. Ed did this because I matter to him -- and to his father, originally. I belong to them; they claim me. And you matter to me, you're my ... well, maybe not friend; you barely know me. But you were my teacher, my Elder. So you're drawn into that hoop through me, you see

[shh_remus]

Remus did understand the meaning of circular relationships. Elder to tribe. Alpha to beta. Still... Remus rubbed the bracelet with his right hand, still unbelieving that Cedric would do this for him.

"No, friend is accurate," Remus said with a smile. "At least, I hope you'd consider me a friend, especially after bestowing such a gift on me." Remus picked up the piece of fabric and stowed it in his pocket.

"And... please, if you need anything at all for the museum, do not hesitate to ask. I do wish to help. I always wanted to, but... now moreso. To keep the circle going, for the circle only works when a teacher can learn from his students."

"As far as this goes..." Remus raised his left arm. "The moon is two days away so we shall see if it works or not relatively soon. Believe me, if it works, you'll be the first to know."

[shh_cedric]

Cedric smiled and ducked his head. "I'd be honored to be your friend, Remus. And yes, I'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on the museum. The next step will be a public painting day, where I hope to introduce the museum to the public, make people aware -- maybe raise a little money to help defray the costs of repairs. I'm still not entirely certain of the day, but I'm thinking Saturday February 17th. We'll see how that goes. Once it's all painted, then we can start moving forward on actually getting artifacts in here.

"At that point, I'll definitely be back to talk with you about what can be done with the artifacts that were damanged."

[shh_remus]

The 17th was certainly a ways following the moon and by then he'd be up to doing some work. Then again, if this bracelet worked -- maybe he'd be up and about sooner than usual. The thought flitted through his head that, maybe, if this worked -- he could see about finding a way to get one for Gilen. The boy could use all the help he could get as far as his moons were going.

"Well, perhaps once the moon passes, I shall have you over to the house for dinner. Give you a chance to have a break. As being involved with working towards the new school, I know I've been overworking myself. Just... don't tell Minerva," Remus said with a wink. "And I will certainly help out with the painting day and see if I can't round up a few extra workers for you as well. Then -- I'll help you with any and all damaged artefacts."

[shh_cedric]

"Dinner would be lovely," Cedric replied, then smiled, a bit impish. "And believe me, I can't tattle on you about overwork or it'll be the pot calling the kettle black.

"I'll appreciate any help you can give. That will be one big project, once it gets underway." He sighed and walked Remus back to the door, showing him out.