A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open]

Subject: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:52 pm

It was midsummer. The sun was high over head in the clear blue sky. The heat was unbearable, stinging Luke's already blister red skin. The midst of the Shopping District of Hogsmeade was in full swing as people of all ages in all rays of garment went about their business. Luke too had someplace to be; more like a person than I place, but where that person was, he had no clue. For weeks he had been keeping an ear to the ground listening to any mention of her name, but she was illusive like catching a wisp of wind.

Even now, as he stood among the Grand fountain full of realistic dolphins emerging from the depths of the ocean, cascading water from their blow hole, he wasn't certain at all that this new information yet was accurate. He got it from an unreliable source, and his sources were fickle at the best of time.

With all that was going on in his life at the moment, he was surprise of the news that came to him months after. He once again pulled the wrinkle old newspaper of the Daily Prophet once again. The first page shown the Headmaster of Beauxbaton missing, but that was not the articled he cared about right at the moment, it was the second article on the first and second page about Lacetta and this musician Choi Seung Pyo. It wasn't the article persay that bothered him severely but the news that came soon after the end of the last school year. That Lacetta was let go on leave for the time being until an internal investigation was taken.

Where did she go? Where is she now? and Is she okay? These were the questions he asked himself over and over again. Anyone else he was certain they could handle themselves but Lacetta...he was certain she was struggling. All he could do was show support and give her an ounce of kindness, but before that, he must find her.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:35 pm

It had been quite some time since Lacetta had been in Hogsmeade. She had found herself a nice new place in Gloucestershire that she very much adored, and considered a new home of sorts. Though nothing could take away the magic of a place such as this. It was something special in her heart, and although it wasn't a true home, it was a place that she'd always consider to be one.

She wandered around the streets, though mostly looking at her feet. The Daily Prophet had laid next to her bed in Gloucestershire, and she hadn't quite forgotten about it yet. She wasn't sure if the others around here would, either. She had been safer in Gloucestershire though, she felt, for many of the inhabitants were muggles, such as Mrs. Parcell, the kind lady who rented Lacetta a home. Here was quite the mystery, though, for she simply hadn't known.

Honestly, Lacetta's trip to Hogsmeade had little meaning then to sooth her homesickness that she had sometimes felt. She enjoyed being here, and she missed being able to see the students and the nice shop owners in Hogsmeade. She had found herself a reason to visit, or so she did her best to. She had wished to purchase some herbs, so that she could practice in her spare time, and Hogsmeade's stores were too familiar for her to not feel the most comfortable shopping here.

It had been a bit of a distance for Lacetta, to have gone from one place to another, though she hadn't minded the journey. She had taken the train, which was oddly quiet without the Hogwarts students aboard, and it dropped her off perfectly into the middle of Hogsmeade. It was a beautiful fall evening, and the leave shifted beneath her feet as the wind tried to pick them up.

Her hair was thrown up into a bun, and she had taken out her fall jacket that was a little too large for her. She enjoyed the walk in the fresh air, smelling all too familiar smells around her.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Thu Jul 11, 2013 6:30 pm

Hours slipped away from Luke, but the searched continued. Throughout the day spent wandering around Hogsmeade, multitude of times he thought he saw just a fleeting glimpse of her; a wisp of honeydew golden hair turning the corner or a heartwarming laugh somewhere in the distance in the crowded streets of the shopping district. Every time Luke investigated the voice or the idle glimpse of long locks, she was nowhere to be seen. Lacetta was more illusive than pinning down a unicorn, which dishearten Luke as it turn on the third hour.

He was going to give up the search and return to a quaint and cozy room in the inn he purchase just for the night, when he saw her. Lacetta having the gentlest smile that could melt the frozen tundra and the gleam in her eye. Lacetta was making due with what she was dealt. Anyone else would whine or complain about their woes, not Lacetta. Seeing her perfectly healthy and fine, all his anxiety of her rejecting his forgiveness vanished in an instant.

Instead of scarring her half to death by screaming her name jubilantly, Luke walked up behind her and said, "I think you need a hat. Yes! A cute hat with a flower or grapes or something." He was poking fun of the incident he had a few months ago with Lacetta, and he knew how much Lacetta loved whimsical hats.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Fri Jul 12, 2013 5:17 pm

A voice sounded behind Lacetta, and a smile was immediately brought to her face, even before she could turn around. The voice she had known so well, as it had come and gone from the hospital wing for oh so very many reasons. Though she also smiled for the words, and the goofy memories that they had brought to her, making her want to giggle and laugh.

Turning around, Lacetta had already known the face that would be upon her, and she smiled so happily at seeing it.

"Luke! I'm so happy to see you!"

Lacetta was unable to resist, her arms flying around Luke in a warm hug. She had missed her friend, and wondered how he had been doing. Well, she had hoped. She hoped, too, that he was helping the new nurse out, because she was sure that they were quite confused, and Luke surely would have brought them friendship and a helpful hand.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sat Jul 13, 2013 2:49 am

Lacetta was brimming with charm. Her smile was like fireworks in the night sky, even Luke was in awe of her enthusiasm, cheering him up tremendously. The last few months had not been the same without seeing his dear friend. Lacetta was the embodiment of kindness and generosity, he could not fathom what brought him to the brink of their friendship. He tried to cut all ties with not only her but numerous other friends. Like a disease it started out small, not answering their question or giving them a smile, than it grew to avoidance. The downward spiral spin so out of control only one thing mattered to him; it was to save his parents. That consumed his life, his entire being until he was nothing more than a shell on a mission. That is why he lashed out against Lacetta like a wounded dog lashing out to lick his wounds. He couldn’t let her or anyone see how miserable he was. Not again.

Fall from grace always had a rock bottom, and he hit it. He could not deal with the amount of loss he had: his parents, his godmother, his fiancé, his friends. He needed to stop cutting his ties. To find self again, he needed to take a step back, back from work and from his duties. He needed a cleansing of body and soul. After leaving Hogwarts, he reformed his ties with the people he cared about: Alexandra forgave him instantly, so did Lacetta it seemed, but Cazz was a phantom that could not be pegged down.

This hug he returned was much of a healing process for him as it was for her. At the moment he did not want to spoil the reunion so instead of getting straight to business, he asked, “Where are you going? Can I come?”

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:09 pm

As Lacetta had pulled back, she was a bit confused for a moment, not quite hearing his question. Then as she played back to what he had said, she didn't focus quite so much on the question, just the words themselves, so it too her a bit of time before she answered.

"Where? Oh, that's right! I was finding myself some herbs to fill my time!"

She was becoming a bit more confused recently, though she didn't see it as much as another may. Though, she wasn't surrounded with many who knew her very well at the moment, so it was a bit different then if otherwise, for not many noticed. They simply took it as how Lacetta was. Because of that, she didn't realize it was happening.

"Of course you can come with me, though I'd hate to bore you! If you have anything in mind, that would be just lovely as well!"

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:01 pm

Lacetta looked bewildered at his question as if she need time to contemplate the meaning behind them. The state of her peculiarity had Luke worried. She was always peculiar even in the best of times, or so people around Luke said, but he seldom notice. Now that he was noticing, it worried him fiercely.

But like a whip cracking, she snapped out of it. He managed a smile, but the worries would not wash off his face so easily. "Apothecaries are my specialties. I am not as gifted as Sorrow, but I have whipped up a few potions using herbs in my day," he said with a chipmunk grin.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:56 pm

Feigning a smile and Luke smiled, Lacetta nodded her head, but didn't hold it for long. She did her best not to show Luke, though, turning around. Her last encounter with Sorrow was…she didn't want to think much on it.

It saddened her, though, just a little bit. She had never spoken to Sorrow about it, not afterwards, nor had she spoken to Luke about it. They had just been so busy, and the next time she had spoken to Luke was a separate issue, with Theo, and that was a new circumstance all on its own.

She didn't like thinking on it much, though she was determined to let it slip her mind. She smiled again, not quite as strongly as she usually did, though it was a smile all the same.

"Let's be off, then!"

The apothecary was only just down the street, so she began to make her way there.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:17 am

Her masked to hide the pain she was going through worked as he did not know the hurt she still felt behind the gentle breeze of a smile. He reformed one of his own as they both took off down the road, and in what seemed to be no time at all, Luke held the door open for Lacetta, before going inside himself. Jars of all shapes and sizes line the shelves. There were giant size jugs that carry a silver liquid on the top shelves, to miniscule jars that carried the most expensive of material. One even had a scratchy but readable label of Phoenix Tears, which Luke doubted.

Unlike the Herbology store called Dogweed and Deathcap, this apothecary only sold herbs, flowers, roots and berries known for healing, not for hurting. Luke knew most of these could use also for a wicked drought or two, but they would have to ultimately go to Dogweed and Deathcap anyways or even worse through the black market to finish off their sinister concoction.

Mr. Webber the owner of the establishment greeted them merrily. “Lacetta, Luke my good friends, long time no see.” Luke came here often to replenish his herbs and spices, and it seemed that Lacetta did too at one point seeing that she was the Head Nurse and all at Hogwarts. “What brings you around these parts? Stocking up for the new school year?”

Luke flinched involuntarily. The realization that he was not going to school this a new year came at him. For the first time since he told Eirina that he was leaving Hogwarts, he felt a lump in the back of his throat, and dead weight at the pit of his stomach. “No, Lloyd, Luke said, we are just doing a little personal shopping today.”

Lloyd was a grouchy old man with a gentle heart. He may make these rough, grumpy noises but when it came down to it he was quite nice. But being an old man he had a lot to say about even things he did not know, like “Are you two a couple now? I always thought you two would become a couple. Customers who shop in my store are good natured people who belong together...” he ranted on for long uncomfortable minutes about the evil doers of Dogweed and Deathcap store and how they spread evil, and somewhere along the lines Gnomes got shoved into the conversation. “Where was I? Oh yah,” he said making another growling noise. “You too look good together, Head Nurse and Potions Professor. Intelligent babies you would have too, to boot.”

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Tue Jul 16, 2013 2:12 pm

Smiling, Lacetta entered into the shop as Luke had led her to, kindly opening the door for her. As Lacetta looked around the shop, she was struck by a sense of awe as the memories poured back to her as to what this place had always felt like.

The smell of the herbs filled the air and unleashed some of the better memories that she had, loving the line of work she did, for not just healing but knowing that she could help others seemed to soothe her.

As Mr. Webber spoke to the two of them, Lacetta couldn’t help but smile back at the man whose face she knew so well. She was actually quite surprised when Luke denied the opportunity to shop for school supplies.

“Why don’t you shop for Potions? I don’t mind, you can save yourself another trip!”

Though she was quickly drawn back into Mr. Webber’s speech, as he oddly mentioned Luke and Lacetta as a couple, and saying that they would have intelligent children.

“Oh no, that’s kind of you to say, though! Luke and I are good friends.”

As she spoke in reply, Lacetta smiled and laughed, though there was a bit of something in her head that brought to her attention that she wasn’t technically Head Nurse anymore, or at least for the moment. Perhaps not everyone read the Daily Prophet.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:43 am

Awkward.

It was the only word in the dictionary Luke could come up with to describe Old man Lloyd and how he made other people feel. Luke tried to hide the twinge in his red cheeks and perspiration of his sweaty palms. Luckily, Lacetta answered but Lloyd was not convinced. He just made more grunting sounds as he went on about his business plucking fresh mayflower pedals and putting them in a medium size jar.

As both Lacetta and Luke scooted deeper into the Apothecary to a table full of berries and Lloyd far to busy to notice, Luke said in a casual voice, “I am not working at Hogwarts right now.” Luke kept his hands busy by picking up jar after jar examining its contents in the light, opening up jars to sniff them, and rolling the berries around his hand. “Acai berries and maybe Goji berries for healing potions?” As if what he said previous wasn’t a bombshell or what he had next to say wasn’t one either. He was so casual about it.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:00 am

Having followed Luke's lead, Lacetta had made her way over to the jars on the wall as well. She read the many labels, trying to find one that best suited her needs.

She'd be needing to make a new ointment in order to help her arm to feel better, though she gave so little indication that there had been anything wrong. Her jacket had remained on her shoulders, as it was. Lacetta picked up a jar to further examine the prickly blue leaves that she was unfamiliar with, when Luke had finally answered her question.

Shock had filled her eyes, and Lacetta paused, her right hand holding a jar as she looked at him, confused and practically frozen. Without parting her gaze, she had placed the jar back down onto the shelf which she had picked it up from.

"How? Why? Did anything bad happen?"

Lacetta had questioned Luke in shock, her gaze still on him and his motions as he went through the jars. How could he be acting like this? So oddly?

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sun Jul 21, 2013 11:56 pm

Her concern was genuine. Even all that had befallen Lacetta, she still cared deeply for her friends. This is why they had been so close, because they both sought comfort in seeing their friends where okay before worrying about themselves. “Everything is fine,” he said trying to calm Lacetta with a smile. “I have decided to take a sabbatical to become a better potioneer. That is all,” he said seeing enough of the truth to defused her worries. In fact, he was going to study abroad to find a way to save his parents. If the answer was out there, he would find it.

“I would say go with the Goji berries,” he said handing her the jar so he could get the paper bag to put some of the berries in. It was now or never, he told himself, as he opened up the bag. “This is why I came to find you. One of the reasons anyways.”

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sun Aug 04, 2013 2:41 pm

(I'm so very sorry! I had been on vacation and thought that I'd have internet, though I was proven otherwise)

Saying nothing more on the topic, Lacetta nodded her head, accepting the answer that Luke had given her. It seemed that his eyes were saying so much more, that there was so much more depth to his reasons, but she hadn't wanted to pester for an answer that was not her right to have, nor would serve to benefit her in any way.

A smile now made its way back onto her face. She nodded her head about the Goji berries, and had reached out her left hand to grab the jar, though felt the tingle run up her arm.

She had nearly forgotten about the pain, and her reason for making her way towards Hogsmeade. She made a switch though and took the jar with her non-dominant right hand, which probably shouldn't have seemed odd since so many people were right handed.

"You were looking for me?"

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:17 am

Alexander needed to keep his hands busy or else he would start fidgeting where he stood. He went to another station, browsing through its contents. Jar after Jar he picked up to examine the contents. First, it was moly submerge in a clear liquid, which simmered in the light, than it was red as the setting sun rose pedals. He open the third jar which was bark of weeping willow, and held a sliver of bark between his fingers.

“The bark and leaves of a willow is endowed with the magical and herbal properties to relieve aches and pains, high fevers, and temporarily relieves headaches, stomachaches.”

Alexander went through the characteristics of the weeping willow, not because he found it interesting right at this time, but to prolong the answering of Lacetta’s question. He held it up to Lacetta and said, “Try it.”

He set the jar down and grabbed another piece. Instead on gnawing on the piece of bark, he sucked on it. It tasted bitter, but he gave his mouth something to do. Finally, when minutes passed and he did not seem to want to answer her question, Alexander took out an envelope and handed it to her. Inside was the deed to his house, and a key to get inside. It was already in Lacetta Detenae’s name. Through a mouth full of saliva and a chunk of bark, he said, “I want you to have it.”

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:22 pm

Smiling graciously, Lacetta had put aside the jar that was in her hand, and took the bark from Luke's. She was simply happy to be reacquainted with her good friend, and was pleased to be able to feel relaxed.

She wasn't quite sure why he had offered her the bark, and had taken some himself, though now that it was in her hands she decided to break off an even smaller piece for her to chew easily in her mouth. It wouldn't be long, Lacetta knew, before the bark had helped her arm to feel even a bit better. Surely Luke hadn't known though, had he?

"It's quite bitter!"

Usually, Lacetta hadn't tried her own concoctions, not unless she had needed to. If she were to ever need to be nursed, she tended to use ointments, even though they had been slower of a process. She simply wouldn't use something that would be more suited for the children, as she had been thinking of her time at Hogwarts.

Sweet things were what Lacetta had usually liked, though she had never been opposed to anything bitter. And, just in that moment she could feel her arm slowly aching just a tad bit less, and a smile crossed her face, though followed by one of surprise as she took the envelope.

"What is it?"

She hadn't the will to open it, and instead looked at Luke with confusion written on her face. It was white and crisp and had a thick paper inside, as well as something rather heavy, though she couldn't quite tell just what it was.

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:21 pm

Everything about Lacetta reminded him of wildflowers in fields of pastures. Her hair capturing the glow of any light she walked passed. Her soft smile so easily available like the flower greeting the sun each morning, but just like a wild flower, there were always bitter winters, and wickedness to up root them for their own perverse pleasures. Alexander still could remember the first time they meet. She was curled up in a ball on the sixth floor corridor, frighten and so alone. Why did he revert back to his old memories at this time, Luke could not say for certain, but still he saw Lacetta as a little sister, needing his big brother’s protection if she liked it or not. All he said to her was “open it.”

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:42 pm

Fairly confused, as was clearly displayed on her face, Lacetta looked down at the envelope in her hands. It was white and a bit worn, through probably only through passage from where it had been to now here, in her hands.

Carefully, Lacetta opened the envelope, taking up each corner before pulling off the fold. Inside she had found a key, which seemed quite odd. She peeked up at Luke from the key back down to the paper container.

Inside was yet a piece of paper. Slowly she pulled it out, opening it, and reading it slowly. It had her name, and an address as well. Had this been Luke's residence? It couldn't be.

Her emotions so easily showed on her face, from confusion to shock and around in circles of such feelings. She had hardly known what to say, nor how to take it. Not when she hadn't understood just what was occurring.

Even now, Lacetta had stumbled over her words, unable to phrase what she had wished to say, and quite unable to simply find what she had wanted to say.

"I-I couldn't! You shouldn't do this, I do have a place already, and I couldn't possibly!"

Subject: Re: A Gift from a Friend [Tag: Lacetta, open] Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:26 am

Alexander stood in stoic silence watching Lacetta pass through one emotion from the next. The patron of the establishment seemed to suddenly went quite, as he lean in to listen. The whole place seemed to be in muted silence waiting for Lacetta to speak. It would have been amusing if this was a practical joke, seeing Lacetta’s eyes dart back and forth from the key, to the parchment to Luke, but it wasn’t.

“Is your place safe?” he asked her. It was a legitimate concerned. Every incident played back in Luke’s head that he could remember Lacetta in danger, like a photo reel. The very first incident still brought chills to Luke remembering his claws digging in the flesh of the werewolf giving time for Lacetta to run back up to Hogwarts castle. The Death Eater kidnapping the same year still came to mind. Even under the protection of the enchanted castle, and the most powerful Headmistress next to Dumbledore and still Lacetta went missing. His memories went hazy for a bit when he tried to remember 6th year 2nd triwizard tournament task, which included both him and Lacetta as objects needed to be saved from their worst nightmares. With all that went through his head, he still came up with more, until finally he placed his hand over his pocket, where the newspaper was being kept. Someone, some monster, was out to get her, and Luke would feel much better if she had a home with enchantments.

“My mother was a great Auror back in her day. She casted a lot of protection charms, and it is virtually unplottable. The spells and incantations are yours now. Everything in that house is yours.” He place his other hand into the almost empty pocket, where his wand was and a smaller key that he did not leave home without, even though he never used it. “I almost forgot,” he said withdrawing the key and held it out for Lacetta. “This use to be my parents’ bedroom, If they were here now, they would want you to use it.”

Luke took the hand of Lacetta’s that held both the key and the parchment and gently pushed it toward her chest. “Please! I am asking you to take it.”