Curiousity Killed the Cat

....But Satisfaction Brought Her Back Nerissa Howell || 18 || Water Elemental  

[attitude-mayte-vary]

nottexactly‌:

‘‘If you want to buy these, I can make you a deal. I don’t need your money.’‘ He was probably close to her excitement, because some stranger said nice things about his work. Now he understood why doing something was worth it sometimes. ‘‘Model for me. You’ll have to be good with heels though. And straighten your back a bit more. But… what do you say?’’

Nerissa was glad Colin didn’t leave too long a pause after saying he didn’t need her money, because she almost refused him and squawked assumptions before hearing what he did want. When she did, she was struck frozen, expressionless and silent for a moment before lighting up and letting out an mostly inaudible squeal before speaking quickly enough to jumble words. “Yes! I say yes! Of course! Are you...Nuh uh, I am not even going to tempt luck asking if you’re sure! Absolutely!”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

poppy-poppers‌:

Poppy pressed her lips together and looked down at the girl’s choice of shoes before shaking her head. “They’re definitely cute, but everyone else is wearing heels and drinking so you need to be the steadiest one around them. Do you have any drink orders you need me to get?”

“Oh, yeah.” There was a bit lip and a moment of hesitation that cast doubt on the accuracy of the list she was about to recite. “I need five pear dazzles,  three deathly hallows, and a pixie tea. I wish less people were wearing black or they would move around a little less if they know someone is delivering drinks.”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

woodnotlie‌:

“You do have lice?” Oliver dropped all the quiche back onto the tray and backed away. “Every be careful! This server has lice! She should be quarantined!”

“I don’t have lice!” Nerissa tried to out-yell Oliver. “Don’t! He probably has lice! Check out his mangy mophead!”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

boo-its-radley‌:

Joshua didn’t fight against her attempts to move him out of sight, but he followed along with lazy, floppy footsteps and his eyes rolled twice before she was done talking. “I was, at most, assumed dead,” he stated monotonously. “I doubt anyone filed a report that I was even missing. I left for a long trip to the Isle of Man. Stayed on the coast, got back in touch with my element. It’s tragic what I came back to.”

She was brought up short for a second, stunned that he had a quick response, having assumed that she was the only one with common sense as only an eighteen year old could. Then the questions started back up again. “Where were you staying on the Isle of Man? Why didn’t you tell anyone you were leaving? You had a job, right? Are you sure they didn’t report you missing?”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

weasleyxlouis‌:

“What in Merlin’s name is wrong with you! You are such a child!” Louis screamed as red flooded his face.

“Sir, please calm down or I’ll have to call some of my fellow staff or the hotel staff to escort you out.”

[not-in-a-boyband]

attitude-mayte-vary‌:

*It hadn’t been on purpose, though it was Kai’s fault she had spilled the tray. She’d tensed up when she saw him and then gave this involuntary spastic nervous jerk when he’d come close, persistently guilty and expecting some kind of drastic repercussion from him as she was.*

Are you sure?

*It’s got to be a trick, right? He can’t be suddenly wanting to make peace like his effected face and “please” say, can he? She looks at him suspiciously*

Okay, I can take a fe minute break but I’m not leaving the safe zone of the party. Cast a muffling charm or something, but I’m not going to follow you anywhere.

That’s fine. *He agrees immediately, nodding and taking a half step back, giving her a little more space.*

I wasn’t going to ask you to leave with me. Just…a corner, or something, is fine. And a muffling charm isn’t necessary, I’m not…I don’t intend to rehash anything we talked about. I just. Need to say something.

[attitude-mayte-vary]

*Nods. Walks to some convenient place. * What do you want to say?

[attitude-mayte-vary]

mia-selwyn‌:

Mia eyed the girl carefully before summoning her quill and notepad from her pocket to take notes on the questions and answers to come. “And you worked at the White Wyvern? What was your occupation there? And how many days a week did you work?”

“I was a waitress. The number of shifts a week varied on how busy they were expecting to be and my school schedule but ever since Elfi quit it’s been every shift I can fit in.”

[maytebellamy]

Since she got back she didn’t have time to check in with Nerissa yet, but she had missed the younger girl so she decided to pay her a visit. “Please tell me you did not get into any trouble while I was away.” Away. It was easier to say than kidnapped. She wasn’t ready to talk openly about it yet. 

@attitude-mayte-vary​

[attitude-mayte-vary]

“I am not the one who you need to worry about getting into trouble. I got blown up a little but that doesn’t compare to what happened to you!” Nerissa ushered Bellamy inside before anyone could see her. Her concern lingered on the tip of her tongue and turned sour until it forced her to ask the question she wasn’t sure she actually wanted the answer to.  “What did happen to you anyway? I want it in your own words.”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

poppy-poppers‌:

“There’s some places going into Diagon Alley soon, but that doesn’t pay the rent this month.” For a moment, Poppy was confused by the misunderstanding and reconsidered what she said to see if there was anything unclear. There was a tidbit mentioned that poked Poppy’s curiosity more than the personal loan debacle. “Could you ask your family for a loan?” She sighed and made her way to the kitchen, waving her wand to turn the kettle on. “I meant at Gringott’s if you can. If you can’t…there are other ways of getting loans to get you through to your next payday.”

“I could try. It doesn’t hurt to ask,” she found herself promising as the path of least resistance, more easy than coming up with why she couldn’t contact her father. “I’ll go to Gringott’s if my father says no. How hard can it be to convince a goblin to give a loan?” 

[attitude-mayte-vary]

nottexactly‌:

The official profession name took him aback, but, unlike in many other cases, not in a bad manner. Perhaps it wasn’t the worst thing he could do with his life. It even had a ring to it. His half awkward look turned into a smirk. ‘’Not officially. I’m working towards that,’’ he responded with meekness, though confident in his own taste and skills. She was too rushed to buy his pieces and Colin had to put her into place as gently as possible, though enjoying the enthusiasm. ‘’Okay… okay, so… Technically, you don’t sell what you present during the show because the works you put on a catwalk are exaggerations of the final product, like an aesthetic exacerbation, but you might be smarter than me. I shouldn’t follow the rules. As eccentric as possible is good enough for me. No mild clothing,’’ he simpered his way to that revelation, fond of not going by the usual rules when it came to design. 

He knew he wanted to ask for a loud price but, looking down at the girl’s shoes with compassion rather than anything else, he hesitated. Then, once again, he eyed her: not the most petite, skinny to the point of being made of bones only, definitely aesthetically pretty. A proposal, perhaps too bold, popped up in his mind. ‘’Do you know to walk coherently on heels?’’ was the answer to her question, instead. Perhaps he could give her a sample of what he’d done in exchange for a favor that could be perceived as a favor for her as well. Colin was nice, but he didn’t want to play the straight-forward charity game with his own work. At least symbolically, he had to ask for something from her.

She followed along, mouth forming an O of chagrin when he explained how the catwalk clothes weren’t the actual collection, but then it turned back around and she was an inspiration to the designer and walking on clouds again, having basically revolutionized his collection and probably started a trend in the wizarding fashion world.

“Yes, I’m pretty confident in heels,” she thought it the truth, and if it wasn’t the coplete truth she’d make it so, wearing taller  and taller heels for all occasions until there was no difference to her in what shoes she wore. “But what does that have to do with anything?”

[a-gentle-hand]

*Hogwarts, Greenhouse Five*

[attitude-mayte-vary]

a-gentle-hand‌:

She looked up sharply at the voice; and sighed, offering Nerissa a brief, fond smile and getting to her feet to face her properly.

“Nerissa, sweetheart, come and sit with me. It’s nothing you need to be concerned about, but we can discuss it fully, if you’d like; and then we can talk about how you’ve been. It’s been a while since I saw you last, and when I heard what had happened in London, I confess I was concerned, to start. You were working on the street where the explosions were, weren’t you?” She summoned another stool, and returned to her own before gesturing for Nerissa to sit with her.

She sat down obediently on the summoned stool, eyes not leaving her sister’s. “Yes, I do want to discuss it fully. What happened with Charlie?” she was caught somewhere between concerned and accusatory, though she wasn’t sure what party she was accusing. She wasn’t deterred from the question, though the more it sunk in it would mean something that her real family knew where she worked and had been concerned. “I’m fine. The most danger I was in was from one of our stupid customer who tried to rob the till while everyone was distracted. Honestly, I had considered that it may have been you and Lawrence in those cloaks scaring everyone, though once I thought about it, it didn’t make sense. “

“So what was it about Charlie?”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

Merry Christmas!

Don’t you dare roll your eyes at the shirt. I’m expecting you to wear it when we finally plan that slumber party. Madison is getting a shirt too. We’re going to match, and with more people than just that. I gave my best friend Poppy one of these shirts last Christmas and my roommate Marzia one for Hanukkah. I’m going to build a girl army.   It’s happening. 

--Nerissa

@accio-pirouette

[attitude-mayte-vary]

alexunderarch‌:

He pouted with skepticism as soon as she started showering him in compliments, knowing too well that her first choice had been Sam. Still, with an eyebrow arched, Alex listened to the rest of her speech, easily feeling how she was creeping under his skin. It was Nerissa’s talent to convince him that blatant flattery was more than just that. ‘’I’m fine either way. Whatever you prefer. My flat is near St. Mungo’s, so it wouldn’t be difficult to me to get to either places. And, of course, apparation. Did you find a room in London now?’’

“Yeah, Poppy, Marzia, and I found a flat. We can meet at yours though. Sylvia is definitely quieter. I really like Sylvia, by the way. You picked a good roommate.”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

alkimean‌:

Fireballs sounded like him. The sudden wave of guilt that he’s not experienced with was getting closer with each word rolling off Nerissa’s tongue and he hated every moment of it. There it was, a miscalculation he regretted - the man who didn’t want to regret anything. And it was obvious on his face, too. Charlie never learned how to lie, after all. ‘’Fire is not the most lethal thing in the world. And you’re fine,’’ he cut her off, mainly reassuring himself, because he needed to believe his own words so he wouldn’t get into details, or apologize to Nerissa, or pretend he had no idea what she was talking about. The fact that she thought he didn’t even hear of the Knockturn Alley attack was an offence, yet not as intense of a feeling like the guilt. ‘’I’m sorry you were there. It sucks. But you are fine, so don’t dramatize it. It’s the attacks you survive what make you strong. Congratulations. You’re a bit stronger than before.’’ It was a point of view Nerissa might even like, for a change. ‘’Alright, listen. You can’t keep making a drama out of things that could have happened but didn’t. Because they didn’t happen. You’re fine. So, nice to see you, let’s carry on a normal conversation.’’

Charlie’s discomfort and guilt was obvious, but Nerissa naturally assumed he felt bad for not being there to protect her, which was silly but softened her, or for not checking on her after, which was all she wanted. “I’m fine and I’m stronger than before,” she parroted his words, now almost sounding like she was comforting him, taking pity as she was now more sure not less that he hadn’t known a whisper of what happened. “Yeah, okay, a normal conversation. I need to look for a new job? I started seeing a new guy...kind of...I’m not sure if I’ll keep seeing him, but he is awfully nice--though a lot of my friends don’t think so. I’m thinking about dying my hair,” she rattled off different conversation topics slash life updates. “I am pretty sure that I’m going to do decently on my exams thanks to my tutor. What’s new with you and Astrid?”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

lawfrisk‌:

‘‘Innocence is a matter of perception. I’m sorry you feel such a heavy philosophy on yourself,’‘ he added with warmness, not wanting to go into detail with Nerissa, howsoever. Discussing moralities and the extents of sinning was the furthest possible from ideal. ‘‘Anyone could know. I’m sure Charlie knew just how to make his big reveal. I don’t know who he would have talked to about this, but no one is safe. I’m inclined to hope it doesn’t apply to you. I don’t want to think that Charlie could ever hurt you on purpose.’‘ Lawrence simpered softly. ‘‘At this point, it’s dangerous to not know too. It’s up to you. We’re no longer making decisions in your name, Nerissa. You’re mature enough to think for yourself.’‘

“Charlie wouldn’t put me in danger,” she snapped instinctively, though the doubt showed on her face in the moments after. “And why are you talking about Charlie?” Her frustration became more shrill, more obvious she didn’t believe the stance she was taking as she couldn’t string together a complete sentence. “Charlie wouldn’t....he’s not....You’re wrong.” He couldn’t be saying what it sounded like. “Charlie would help you find Bellamy. He wouldn’t be on the side of anyone who took her, no matter how much he hates you. That has nothing to do with Bellamy.”

[attitude-mayte-vary]

not-in-a-boyband‌:

It’s fine.

*The response is automatic, and he has to blink several times to recenter himself after having his idea of how this would go thrown off course a little.*

*He’d approached with the intention of taking the tray out of her hands and asking if they could talk, resolved to try and fix things with her at least a little. He’d not expected to end up wearing the tray; and, if he’s honest, he’d initially thought she’d done it on purpose.*

*Kai is…conscious that he’d deserve it, a little.*

Don’t- it’s really fine, Nerissa, I can sort it. *He casts a Scourgio himself, before clearing his throat and trying to salvage the situation.*

Can I talk to you? It won’t necessarily be for a long time, I won’t keep you from your job, but I just… *He sighs, and the next comes out through gritted teeth.* Please.

*It hadn’t been on purpose, though it was Kai’s fault she had spilled the tray. She’d tensed up when she saw him and then gave this involuntary spastic nervous jerk when he’d come close, persistently guilty and expecting some kind of drastic repercussion from him as she was.*

Are you sure?

*It’s got to be a trick, right? He can’t be suddenly wanting to make peace like his effected face and “please” say, can he? She looks at him suspiciously*

Okay, I can take a fe minute break but I’m not leaving the safe zone of the party. Cast a muffling charm or something, but I’m not going to follow you anywhere.

[attitude-mayte-vary]

woodnotlie‌:

Oliver looked uncertainly at the butterfly the redhead held and didn’t take it. “You don’t have lice, do you? It’s not smart to wear a clip that’s been in someone else’s hair.” He took one quiche off the tray and then another and then a third. “Is there a limit?”

“No, I do have lice!” she squawked indignantly, a second away from telling him how rude a question that was before she decided to just paste on the sunny server smile. “Why no, sir. Please help yourself.”