Stopping in to say hello...

[prof_stargazer]

Date: Saturday August 11, 2001
Time: around noon
Location: The Imp's Inn, Edinburgh
Rating: PG
Characters Involved: Stella Sinistra, Caleb Moore, and Stephen Stebbins

Caleb and Stella had slept in this morning, having returned to Caleb's flat after the party at the Malfoy's.  When they finally managed to get out of bed, Caleb had offered to make

Comments

[wolf_caleb]

Caleb was a bit surprised by the information, and couldn't help but wonder if it was a good idea or not. Meeting a friend of Stella's meant that one more person would know about their relationship. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Sure, if you want to I suppose we can," he said, trying to keep the nervous hesitation from his voice.

He resigned himself to the fact that they were going out in public again and he'd have to be the proper 'friend'. He was rather tired of the charade, particularly since he had spent the night before treating Stella like a casual date. "Are we going to Apparate?"

[prof_stargazer]

Caleb was sounding a bit hesitant, and Stella quickly tried to reassure him.

"This place is a bit out-of-the-way, so it's a lot more quiet than the Leaky Cauldron, or even Hogsmeade," she smiled, taking Caleb's hand. "Besides Stephen, I doubt we'll see anyone we'd know- so maybe we can just be ourselves? No hiding?" Stella squeezed his hand, hoping he would be willing to go along with the idea.

She knew that Caleb would feel better, and it would be safer to keep their relationship under wraps, but the Ball last night had driven into Stella how frustrating it was to do so. Having to be aware of every movement, not being able to just lean up and kiss him- it had been exceedingly difficult.

[wolf_caleb]

Caleb wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea, but he couldn't argue the point. Last night had been unbelievably frustrating, and they couldn't spend all of their time couped up in his flat, enjoyable as it was.

"That sounds nice," he told her, smiling. "Let me grab my wallet and we'll go." He kissed her cheek and got his wallet and shoes and ran a comb through his unruly hair. "Good as it's going to get today," he murmured at the mirror before rejoining Stella.

"Let's go," he said, holding out his hand.

[prof_stargazer]

Stella was very glad that Caleb seemed alright with the idea. He was having a tough enough time getting back into the Wizarding world as it was- Stella doubted that the stress of having to 'act' while out in public could possibly help matters. Plus, she had to admit, she had loved the feeling of being able to walk down the street while holding Caleb's hand, or to sit in a restaurant without worrying who would see or overhear them.

When Caleb was ready they made their way to the nearby apparition point, and Stella got them to Edinburgh in one piece. She hadn't been to the Imp's Inn in quite a while, but luckily still remembered how to get there. She offered Caleb a grin as she took his hand, twining their fingers together as they walked around the corner towards the pub's door.

[barmaid_matilda]

Matilda Murray preferred to check in on the pub midday. She had never understood how her elder brother had found the sort of person who frequented pubs an enjoyable type to be around every evening, and things around lunchtime were inevitably (and thankfully) quieter. She did enjoy it, in a way- her brother wouldn't have wanted it handed over to the highest bidder, and she did find Stephen to be a charming young man

[prof_stargazer]

As they entered the pub, Stella glanced around to see Stephen behind the bar, chatting with a woman. Stella smiled when she caught Stephen's eye, and led Caleb over to the bar to introduce the two Hufflepuffs.

Stella was thrown off, though, by Stephen's conversation partner not only introducing herself, but seeming to know exactly who Stella was! Trying to hide her surprise, Stella shook the woman - Matilda's hand, allowing herself to gather her thoughts before she spoke.

"I, ah, it's nice to meet you," Stella finally sputtered out, glancing back at Stephen, who was smiling. "Hello, Stephen, it's nice to see you. This is Caleb," Stella said, nodding back at him. "Caleb Moore."

She wasn't quite sure how she managed to get out introductions - having told Caleb that "I doubt we'll see anyone we'd know", and having a complete stranger know her name in a matter of seconds, Stella was feeling rather confused.

[wolf_caleb]

Caleb looked nervously at Stella, then back to the woman at the bar. He held out his hand and said, "Pleasure to meet you." He glanced at Stephen, and nodded. "Hello."

He recognized him of course. He was the man Stella had been talking to at the rally. The one who had inspired his nightmare. At least it had been a random man he had savaged in his dreams, and not actually Stephen. He wasn't sure how he would get through a polite conversation with someone he'd dreamed of murdering.

Caleb forced a smile, and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Nice place you have here," he said awkwardly.

[stebbinsthescot]

"Matilda here's the owner of this place," Stephen said by way of explanation. "Nice t' have ya, Caleb." As the two of them shook hands, he gave a quick wink and jerked his head in Matilda's direction. "Dinnae worry, she can be trusted. So what can I get you two?"

[prof_stargazer]

Conversation with Stephen and Matilda turned out to be quite lovely, although Stella's stomach soon reminded her of another reason they'd come up here- to eat lunch!

Stephen suggested some excellent choices, and Stella and Caleb thoroughly enjoyed their meal and the company.

[wolf_caleb]

The food was excellent and Caleb found himself relaxing in the company of Stephen and Matilda. He certainly wouldn't mind coming back to the pub, especially if it meant he and Stella could be together without worrying about prying eyes.

As they stood to go, Caleb held out his hand to Stephen, smiling. "It was nice to meet you, thanks for the hospitality. And Matilda, the food was brilliant, thank you," he added.