27th Design [accidental video/audio]

[threadthefire]

[There's a clatter as the device falls to the ground, showing the morning light through the windows of passionné. As Cinna picks it up, you can see the various racks, ready for customers, and in the background, you can hear the gurgle and hiss of the morning crowd filtering into cafe satiné

Comments

action;

[7thborn]

[It's been a few days since Harry's departure-and about a week for everyone else. Ginny is through avoiding most people, though she cannot and will not be drawn to speak of anything beyond "I'm fine" if friends try to dig deeper. Be that as it may, she finds herself stopping as she passes Cinna's shop on a morning walk; and before she can change her mind, she walks in to find him.

She doesn't say hello, simply comes up to his side and comments in a soft voice,]

Hot chocolate's my favourite. [She'd received the package of gifts yesterday.] How'd you guess?

[threadthefire]

You're a young woman with excellent taste, that's how I guessed.

[He wraps an arm around her in a light squeeze, ready to pull back if it's too forward a move.]

[7thborn]

[But it isn't. Maybe a few days ago, she would have shrugged out from under his arm. Maybe a few days ago, she wouldn't have even walked in here, let alone struck up a conversation. And there is still some tenseness to her shoulders but she doesn't draw away, simply offers an uncharacteristically subdued, if brief, smile.]

Thanks, Cinna. You didn't have to send anything.

[threadthefire]

Of course I didn't have to, I wanted to. You needed it.

[He spins her around to look her up and down.]

Now, perhaps a little of what I understand is called, retail therapy?

[7thborn]

[She laughs, shrugging and shaking her head all at once.]

Oh, Merlin, no. No, that's alright-I suppose that doesn't make me like most girls, but I couldn't.

[threadthefire]

Of course you could. You don't have to take anything home, but you should let me pamper you a little. Haircut, try on a few dresses, the cafe has the best caramel hot chocolate you should try.

[7thborn]

I'll take you up on the cafe, at least, alright?

[Harry likes her hair long and so does she. Fine, it could do with some trimming and styling, it's grown into some sort of flaming mane of a thing, but she'd rather leave it for now. (Somewhere, her mother is throwing her hands up in exasperation.)]

[threadthefire]

Very well.

[Calling to a nearby employee that he's taking a break, he leads Ginny over to the cafe, settling her on a comfortable sofa as he leaves to get the drinks. Tea for him, the chocolate for her. There's also some biscuits if she's interested.]

[7thborn]

[Truthfully, she doesn't feel like talking very much at all, but there's an easiness in in sitting with the stylist that she can't find anywhere, really. A part of her feels bad for taking up his time, but he had extended an invitation if she felt like taking it, and while this was a whim, it's not entirely unwelcome. Ginny takes a biscuit and snaps it in half, fiddling with the pieces rather than eating them; and when he comes back, she glances up at him.]

Looks like things are doing well.

[threadthefire]

They are, I think everyone's taking advantage of the momentary pause between curses. Are you?

[He sips at his tea, happy to engage in casual conversation to distract her. Or sit in silence if that's what she prefers.]

[7thborn]

Honestly? I haven't noticed.

[She glances down at her drink with a bit of a frown, biscuit pieces still held between her thumbs and forefingers.]

I suppose I'm lucky enough to avoid being affected half the time. [Or she's just distracted.] How long've we been, er, curseless?

[threadthefire]

Not counting the recent weather change, nearly two weeks by my guess?

[The weather change was hardly worth noting it happened so often. And really, it was hard to view that as a curse although his winter coat sales had tanked temporarily.]

[7thborn]

[She pauses, a faint smile crossing her features for a moment. Summer in the winter always happens, doesn't it? The memory that Cinna's words sparks is bittersweet now; even so, she finally takes a bite of that bit of biscuit in her hand.]

And well into January, then? Odd choice for the deities. [She pauses again, considering. Then, completely straight-faced and matter-of-fact,] Probably still recovering from some office holiday party.

[threadthefire]

If that's the case, I wish them severe hangovers and even longer recoveries.

[In the meantime, he would enjoy the calm.]

[7thborn]

Careful, Cinna. They might curse us with hangovers now.

[She takes a delicate sip of her drink and continues,]

And I rather enjoy avoiding those, thanks very much.