[Open/Party post!] Home is whenever I'm with you

[daredtobelieve]

Helen rarely uses the journaling system in Chicago. It's fascinating to her, how the city stays interconnected, and while she does peek in to check on people, she hasn't actually used it at all during her stay. It seems, however, that this has changed for this one cause

Comments

[lefttogive]

John hasn't caught up with Helen in a good while now.

Granted, his life's been turned upside down by many recent developments, but he saw the journal entry, and he couldn't help that his curiosity was piqued in a pleasantly surprised sort of way--nor could he help his intention to see her and find out what she's been up to with his own two eyes, support whatever she's built.

It's with that in mind he decides to attend, and attend he does.

There's a low whistle of amazement as he steps on in, glancing around, looking for the woman in question.

[daredtobelieve]

The woman in question just happens to be laughing lightly with another guest. She spots John as he walks in and a new smile leaps to her eyes. Helen gently touches her guest on one shoulder, excusing herself as she approaches the entrance to meet him halfway.

"John! Lovely to see you again." She reaches out to gather him up into a warm hug. For as long as it's been since Helen has seen him, she doesn't feel at all distanced from him. "So? What do you think?"

[lefttogive]

John's smile brightens at the sight of her, but he's a polite guy. He waits until he's caught Helen's eye instead of interrupting her conversation, and once he sees she has, he walks over to her and envelops her in an equally warm hug. "Not half as lovely as it is to see you," John says honestly.

He steps back, and glances around before turning back to her. "I think you work magic, Helen Magnus. How long have you been working on this project?" he asks, and he means his words. His expression reflects how impressed he is by what she's built here.

[daredtobelieve]

She chuckles lightly, tucking her hair behind her left ear. "Magic? Hardly, but it has come together better than I ever hoped. It's been almost a month since I loaned the money to purchase the building. Your brother was a godsend, truly. If not for his connections with various contractors, I doubt I'd have ever been able to pull it off so quickly."

She turns and waves an arm out to the foyer. "I'm not entirely sure if Chicago is in need of a Sanctuary, but I've been doing this for a very long time, so it seemed only apt that I start something like this here." She puts her hands on her hips. "So. Would you like the tour?"

[fortisleo]

Harry Potter steps into the Sanctuary. He was drawn in by the entry, and it's not as though he has much going on. The high school that he's currently attending is on break for the week for Thanksgiving, which is a holiday that he's still not quite used to celebrating. However, he does plan on actually celebrating as the concept of giving thanks is one that he can certainly understand.

It's really, really beautiful, and he isn't certain what one would use this building for. What is a Sanctuary exactly? However, he's absolutely curious about it, wanting to know more.

It's nice. It's likely the nicest building that he's stepped into since Hogwarts it feels like, and the last time that he was at Hogwarts, it'd been ripped apart by battle, filled with dead bodies scattered all around.

"It's... beautiful," Harry says to whoever's standing nearest to him. It's not as though he really has an architectural eye for anything, but even he can admire all of this.

[daredtobelieve]

From his left, Helen folds her arms over her chest and smiles. "That's kind of you to say. I was afraid my style was a bit... outdated." Helen steps forward, turning to face him and holds out a hand to shake.

"Helen Magnus. A pleasure." And she means every word of that. Having this little open house has been one of the best nights that Helen's had in a good, long while, and it's evident on her face that she feels extremely comfortable in this place.

[fortisleo]

"I'm afraid I don't actually know anything about style at all so I might... not be the best judge. It reminds me of home a bit actually."

Harry looks sideways at her with a small smile as he reaches out to take her hand in turn and shake it. He smiles, and it's mostly at ease because it does remind him in some ways of Hogwarts. Normally he'd be a bit more suspicious and on edge in a new setting. Experience has taught him well. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter, nice to meet you. So this is all yours then?"

[daredtobelieve]

"I was going for a comfortable home-like feel, so I suppose it's good to hear at least one person say that." She laughs lightly, nodding in acknowledgement to his name and to his question.

"That's right, Harry. But in a way, it belongs to the entire city. I'm offering the Sanctuary as a place for anyone to take residence if they so choose. It serves many purposes, though. I simply have not fully discovered how many of the others will be needed."