tough as nails

GWENOG; HARPIES BEATER she licks blood off her fingers and she looks like divine absolution. careful, meleager; this is your sport but she’s not playing a game. do not think you are safe because you love her. do not think she will not stain her mouth red with your blood too.

[tetheredbanshee]

[beaterjones]

queenmolly-weasley‌:

Molly blew her nose and shoved her tissue back into her sleeve, then pulled a hanky out of her handbag. She looked around the store, praying that nobody was staring at her blubbering in the middle of a quidditch shop. 

The woman looked much more excited when Molly brought up quidditch, and she managed to smile through the memories of Bill as a baby that were flying past in front of her eyes. She seemed much more hopeful when she offered to help, but felt her chest deflate a little at the mention of a new broom.”Oh, I’m not sure we can afford a new broom. Or tickets to the Harpies” she said defeatedly, picking her coin purse out and opening it to flick through the few coins that were there. “What’s the toy set?”

Gwenog narrowed her eyes. 

        “These wouldn’t cost a thing.” Perhaps it was because Gwenog had already assumed that she had said that they’d help. Or the fact that she couldn’t fathom anyone she knew paying for Harpies tickets when she could get them free ones. Gwen tosses a hand through her curls, a grin on their features. 

        “I play for the Harpies. I mean, I’m second string, but I play for them. So I would love to finance a broom, or swing you guys tickets. Maybe you could take the whole family. It would be at no cost.” Gwen paused for a moment, her voice softening a bit. “You seem like you’re quite emotional about the whole ordeal, and I liked to lighten the load if you’d like. You seem nice enough, and if it inspires a young quidditch player I’d love to do that much.” It was the most useful thing she could do, given that she never seemed to actually get to play. 

[beaterjones]

yuki-yamashita‌:

Heaven help the person that tried to sneak fireworks or a smoke bomb by her right now.

These fucked up portkeys had Luka off somewhere and Patrick looked like he was on the verge of some kind of emotion they didn’t pay her enough to manage.  Her head ached and her eyes burned.  This was a mess, she should have just called in sick.

Or at the very least, someone could have given her a bum portkey.  Free vacations were hardly something to complain about.  “Is there a firework shoved down your pants?” She sighed, not even bothering to look at this person’s crotch.  “Please tell me there is, because it would be the most exciting thing that’s happened to me all day.”

“Afraid not.”

       Gwenog looked over at the woman, a grin on her features. “The pants are just ill-fitting.” She supplied, tucking a curl behind her ear. In theory, Gwen knew why it seemed like there were so many people about asking questions, but it still wasn’t her favorite scenario to be apart of. “Nothing exciting come your way yet?” She asked, mostly because she was curious, but also because you had to be fairly bored to accuse her of shoving a firework down her pants. If anything they were more likely to try to sneak one in amongst the Quidditch equipment. “I’m sure it will, not like it’s a small crowd.”

[ohlexa]

[beaterjones]

the-peter-pettigrew‌:

“I reckon I’m going to move soon, so I wanted to see if you wanted any books,” Peter said conversationally. It was a topic he was actually up to discussing, books being one of those things that in the abstract pretty harmless to him. There were a lot of them however that were just stacked everywhere.  At one point he’d had a system but he wasn’t sure he’d keep it up. He’d managed to take them out of the closets and second bedroom and into his living room to show and sort. 

“I’ve already asked Remus what he wanted, so I figured I’d ask you,” Peter said shrugging slightly. “I’ve got a bit of everything really. I just can’t be arsed to move all of them and I’ve read most of the ones I want to give away.”

He still has a few stacks of books he hadn’t gotten around to yet, and he figured he’d keep onto those along with a few favorites. “I got most of them when I still had a discount, so keep that in mind. I know I let it get to absurd levels.”  

Gwen looked over the titles. 

        They didn’t know Peter well, but they knew him through passing. It seemed to be a small circle that people kept nowadays. So often people knew next to everyone, and if they didn’t they might have heard of them. Gwenog looked up excited by the prospect of gaining a few new titles for her collection. She over to him. “You sure you don’t want to take them with you?” Gwenog asked. It was a pain when moving but it was easier than trying to rebuild a collection. 

         She was happy to be given the opportunity, and began to flip through one of the books. There was a few history books she could already see adding to her collection, but she didn’t want to be that rash. Feeling as if any moment he might take back the offer that he had extended. It was generous, or at least appeared to be.

       “Absurd levels are the only way to live when it comes to books.” Gwenog remarked, closing the book that had been in their hand. “I mean I have a whole shelf that spans my living room, I’ve gotten to read most of them at least though.” Gwen looked up after a moment, setting the book back down. “You know Emm and I might be starting a book club if you’re ever interested. There will be sweets courtesy of myself.”

[beaterjones]

pippaxstrout‌:

Pip smiled slightly, glad her trick had worked. Reaching her hand from behind her back she took the small glass ball from them and carefully looked at it. “I mean it’s got you in quite a trance there. I think you’re right though.” She said as it started to turn red in her hand and frowning slightly. Whatever she’d forgotten she was pretty sure wasn’t really that interesting or at least not as interesting as the conversation she managed to get herself into. 

“What were you looking for then?” Pip said still curious about the red in the remembrall that was now in her hand but not quite wanting to switch her focus to it. “’m not sure it’s a very useful thing all things considered. It can’t tell me what I’m missing. It sure is pretty though. And before you ask, I don’t know what I’ve forgotten either.” She couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. 

“Maybe if I help you I can remember what I’ve forgotten.” 

Gwenog laughed. 

         It was quite the fickle object. It seemed to identify a problem without actually describing how to fix it properly. You would think with the addition of magic that there might be some more forethought to it all. “A trance, but it has yet to jog my memory.” Gwen admitted, watching the object turn scarlet in the other’s hand. She relished in the fact that she was not the only one that had forgotten something. Gwenog wondered if it was a novelty gift, or if there were people who were able to use this in their daily lives. 

       Gwenog shook her head, “I can’t remember.” Perhaps the thought would come to her in the future, but they doubted it. “You cannot remember either?” Gwenog asked, another laugh slipping through her lips. The complaints the stranger had about the objects were the same as her own. “I would say if it’s gotten use two for two without being able to identify what we have forgotten that it is pretty useless overall.” She tossed a hand through her curls, allowing them to bounce off of her shoulders. 

        “Perhaps that might work.” 

[lukeselwynx]

A Spot of Fresh Air

[beaterjones]

lukeselwynx‌:

“Second string, oh…” Luke didn’t truly know what that meant, but he had a feeling that music and Quidditch were the same in this particular case - there were still runners up, understudies…  “Oh, plenty people say that they’re rubbish when it comes to music and everything that goes into it, but I’m of the opinion that everyone could secretly have something they’re really great at within that realm. It all just depends on the aspects of music that they already like! I could go on and on for ages about this stuff.” He kept smiling as he talked, and although he didn’t realize it, it was a nice change. He hadn’t smiled genuinely in such a while. “Oh, no. I live in London, I have a flat… No, I haven’t traveled in a good while. Not since… well, a few years ago…” Not since the war really started affecting everything, he wanted to say. “Funny enough, I’ve seen loads worth noting. To the point where I might bore you to bits if I went through everything. The North American tour was very interesting, though! There was so much going on over there, even with the muggles–”

Gwenog nodded at the pity. 

        At least it felt like pity to her. Which was fine, it was the most she could muster these days. If they were going to move her from second string they would do it when it felt right. She could better herself but that didn’t mean that she was anymore valuable to them. She was sure her time would come, she just had to wait for it. 

       “I admire your optimism, but you haven’t seen how tone deaf I can be.” Gwen joked, tossing a hand through her hair. It was nice to see someone passionate about something that wasn’t the war though. The smile on his features was a welcome change from the others that she had seen around here.   At the mention of a timeline she figured it had to do something with the war. It seemed to be the thing that kept reeling people back in again. “London is nice enough, I’ve lived here for the past few years. It’s nice enough. They have wonderful tea to say the least.”

       Gwenog nodded at the mentions of North America, enthralled by the idea of traveling so far. “I don’t think I’ve made it across the ocean quite yet.” She said, a smile on her features. At the cut off sentiment she seemed to knit her eyebrows together. “What was happening with the muggles?” She asked, quite curious. 

[beaterjones]

advance-emmeline‌:

“Bet I could convince Remus fairly easily, he loves books. Delilah probably would if she could bring her cute new puppy. Austen Prewett and Sofiya Nott might, as well. Perhaps Alice Fortescue…” She mulled over the people in her life she could convince to join. If it looked a bit like the list of people she wanted to see more often, that was neither here nor there.

“Sounds like a perfectly workable plan to me.” Emmeline nodded, already thinking ahead to monthly book club nights and establishing another reason for everyone to see each other and laugh again. “I can start looking at some quieter places as well, so we don’t have to fight to hear over the din at Three Broomsticks.”

“The more the merrier.”

         It was quite the extensive list, and Gwen wasn’t sure they would be able to get everyone on it. However, it was better to try for as many as possible before settling on a smaller group. “I might be able to able to ask Benjy or Gil too.” Gwenog mused, looking at some of the book titles as if that might encourage more names to spring forth. As of right now it wasn’t working, thought not for lack of trying. 

        “I think it is too.” Gwen said, looking back up to Emm. “When did you want to set up the first meeting? Before Christmas I would imagine.” She said mulling over the options for a good date. It mostly didn’t matter but she did like to plan ahead by some measure. “I think that’s a good idea. I would feel rather uncomfortable with the Three Broomsticks. Maybe a cafe somewhere?”

[beaterjones]

hestiasjxnes‌:

Gwen needed to loosen up a bit.  They were older than Hestia but it wasn’t by that much.  They were giving her serious parent vibes, and while it was mostly endearing it was also a bit sad – they were still young, they should cook naked and do unexpected things every now and then.  “We should do something spontaneous after we eat,” she suggested.  It was fine.  This was why they were cousins.  She would save Gwen from themself.  “Midnight flying or tacos from that all night food truck.  Oh, or we could go shopping!”

She rolled her eyes, taking a bite of the food.  It was good.  Far better than she would have managed, and no third degree burns to be found.  “Clearly all of the family’s cooking genes went your direction.  I would have had a turkey sandwich otherwise, so thank you.”  From Muggle London – not anywhere in Diagon Alley.

Gwen sensed judgement. 

        Not the pernicious kind, but the one that was implicitly there. Just because they didn’t want to cook naked doesn’t mean that they did like to do things outside the norm. They just were looking for oil burns in places that would be harder to treat. At the suggestion Gwen nodded, taking another bite from their meal. “Sure.” Gwenog agreed, not finding much harm in the issue. “Why not both?” She suggested, looking up after a moment. If it was up to them it would be tacos, at perhaps a more reasonable time, but Hestia seemed to have perked up at the mention of shopping. 

        Gwenog laughed. “I could teach you if you wanted to learn. It’s not that difficult of a skill -- and there’s a few good family recipes.” She had supposed that she was luckier than most because her Mother had taking a keen interest in making sure to pass those things down to Gwen. And Gwen to her credit wanted to share it with people, either by teaching them or cooking for them. “If not that’s fine too, but you might enjoy more than a turkey sandwich on an occasion or two.”

[beaterjones]

ladylilianazabini‌:

@beaterjones​

Liliana flicked her hair behind her ear as she enjoyed her walk. She’d left Blaise at home with the nanny, which she didn’t normally like to do when she was just out shopping, but Lia had an ulterior motive. She would be content for general shopping, but she’d heard the Harpies had practice today and was hoping to catch Hestia by surprise. Unfortunately Liliana seemed to have gotten the time wrong, and the last few players were trickling out. None of them were Hestia.

She did spy, however, someone not entirely unfamiliar. She’d heard of Gwen from a few sources. According to Hestia, Gwen was an amazing player who’d just had a string of back luck getting chosen. According to Rita and her gossip sources, they wouldn’t ever get beyond riding the bench at their current rate. Shame. Personally Lia hoped Hestia was right, but nothing in life came without a bit of politics, and perhaps that was where Gwen’s luck had failed them.

As she mused, Liliana raised an eyebrow. She’d been looking when Gwen glanced up, so she smiled and sauntered over. “Gwen, right? I’m a big fan.” Liliana really wasn’t crazy about Quidditch one way or another, but she had a certain someone encouraging her as a Harpies fan.

It had been a good practice. 

        To feel the fatigue of her muscles and the steadying of labored breaths was a nice change of pace. The last few practices the Harpies had been very intense in their exercises. She had been caught up taking to one of the other player and they had waves Hesita goodbye early on into the conversation. After she waved goodbye to the rest of the remaining players. Gwen was happy to be done for the day, invigorated by the idea of coming home to the book she had abandoned last night. She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out, gaze upward to the sky. The last thing she wanted to be caught in was the rain. 

        As she was walking out as woman called to her, mentioning that she was a big fan. Gwenog raised an eyebrow at the notion of someone being a big fan of them. She found that often there was not a big fan base for the beater players. It was the seekers and the captains that got the support mostly. Least that’s what Gwen has observed on her time there. Not to mention having played second string for as long as she had there was a notion of being overlooked that came with it. 

        A grin crossed her features anyway, relishing the thought before questioning it. “It’s always a gift to meet a fan.” She said, a light pink rising to her cheeks. Gwen half wondered if they had been waiting or just came across some of the team members by happenstance. “You a big Quidditch fan then?”

[beaterjones]

queenmolly-weasley‌:

her eyes to dry her tears. Oh Merlin why did her little babies have to grow up? One day they’d all be out of home and it would just be her and Arthur. Of course she wasn’t sad about being alone with Arthur, she loved Arthur, and loved when they had alone time. But she didn’t want her children to leave, they were her babies. Of course they were still babies, so she shouldn’t be worrying so much about something so far in the future, but Bill was going to be at Hogwarts in the next few years, then it would quickly be all of them she was sure of it.

She looked to the person who she had pretty much accosted with her tears. “Yes, he’s turning ten.” she nodded, sniffling once more and trying to pull herself together. “He loves Quidditch. He says he wants to be a chaser when he goes to Hogwarts. He’s in the Quidditch Little League”

Gwenog was not suited to comfort. 

        Or if she was it had to be someone who she was more familiar with than the woman before her. Even in the best of circumstances though there was a stiffness to her actions. Gwen was more suited for vanity or competition than to accurately assist in the feelings of others. That didn’t mean that they weren’t going to try though. It was important to her to help the woman, especially if the young child was into Quidditch. It was one of her only redeeming factors was her depth of knowledge on that singular issue. 

        Gwenog’s eye lite up at the confirmation that he loved Quidditch. She tapped her chin with one of her fingers. “Well, in that case there are lots of options.” She declared. “There are brooms, or I could get you guys tickets for the next Harpies game. There’s a new toy set out, I think for some of the younger audiences. What do you think he would like?” Gwen asked. 

[narcissa-the-magiflorist-deacti]

Generosity & Guava {Open Starter}

[beaterjones]

narcissa-the-magiflorist‌:

“I know how I must come off.” Narcissa spoke to herself softly as she touched her pinky finger to her lower lip, trying not to grin at her own ignorance. She knew what it must look like to this strong, capable-looking woman in front of her; that Narcissa was just another heiress running around with nothing in their heads but fortune and status. But I’m not like that, she wanted to correct the woman. This is the first time I’ve been out on my own, without a chaperone or mentor, since I was here years ago, still a child. 

Of course Narcissa couldn’t actually stand up for herself, and just gave a simple nod, biting at the inside of her lip as the woman explained the process to her anyway, regardless of what she might have thought. The blonde nodded again to show that she understood the process. She wasn’t dense, just under-exposed to different cultures, like this concept of ordering at a counter and then seating herself. 

“Right, yes.” Her heart jumped up into to her throat, grateful that the woman demonstrated before letting her fail on her own. Order the tea, give them money. Tea, money. One of her hands kept her book close to her chest, while the other reached to her purse, made of a fine pink leather on gold chain, trying not to make too much eye contact with the witch behind the counter. “I’d like an Oolong tea, if possible, please.”

It cost nearly nothing to get a cup of tea, and stood there for a moment, both thrilled with herself for being able to order without error, and terror for the anticipation of having to interact with another person to bring her the cuppa. She was grinning, even amounts of fear and delight behind her teeth as she looked at the stranger. “Th-thank you. I do appreciate your time.” 

“It looks like you just need some help.”

         Gwenog didn’t want to judge the girl. Of course, she already had, but that didn’t mean that she was beyond learning. She was a fan of offering assistance to see if the person was able to catch on, instead of immediately condemning them to live out of the rest of their lives in that bubble. Even from the way the woman spoke it seemed to have a softer edge than what Gwenog expected. They didn’t know her situation, but it seemed like the best course of action to demonstrate instead of judge. Gwen watched the girl≥softly nod, hoping that she was helping instead of harming. She stepped over to the side, prodding the girl forward. 

        She watched as the girl stepped up to the counter and ordered the tea she wanted. Gwenog let a grin spread across her features. “That was exactly right.” She said, bumping the woman lightly with her shoulder. Although they had only known each other a few moments Gwen was proud in that moment. “Good choice in tea too.” She said, tossing a hand through her hair. The barista set Gwenog’s London Fog on the counter, calling out their hand. She thanks the barista and picked up her mug, taking a sip. It was exactly what she needed after a grueling day. 

        The thank you was unexpected. Not to say that Gwen judged her and thought she wouldn’t be so kind, but it seemed more like common decency than anything else. “No problem.” She said lightly, freeing up one of her hands before extending it out to the stranger. “I’m Gwenog Jones by the way. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Gwen gave a shrug at the time notion of it all. This felt like time well spent instead of a waste of him. Merlin knows that she had done enough of that on the bench with the Harpies. 

        Taking another sip of her tea she looked around at one of the table for some honey. She wandered over there before looking up at the woman again. “Would you want to - uh - sit together?” She offered. Typically Gwen would get their tea to go, but it felt like she would sort of be abandoning the stranger if that happened. “Only if you want to that is.”

[sarahsjohnb]

[beaterjones]

The news about Hestia was depressing. 

         Mostly because she wanted her cousin to succeed as much as herself. The accusations that she might have done this to take her spot was the ultimate assault on her character. Gwenog wanted to be in the game so bad it shook her to her very soul. However, that did not condemn them to being the cause. They tied their hair out of their face, sighing as they looked over the article. All things considered it was quite cruel. With a sharp intake of air she folded the paper back up and tucked it into her bag. Even if it was something she wanted. Even if she was ecstatic to feel the rush of the game. Even if - Gwenog would rather die then admit to a fraction of that feeling. 

        Gwenog caught gaze of someone she recognized from across the way. She waved a little before approaching them. “Before I forgot,” She began,” I have tickets to the game next week. Would you want to come? First Butterbeer is on me.” Mostly she used the opener to get her mind off of the stinging words written about her cousin. Next week was an off week. Which meant the Harpies weren’t playing nor practicing. She would be able to enough the sport with less stakes in the games. “I could even throw in a Firewhiskey if it suits your fancy.”

[beaterjones]

benjy-andthejets‌:

The offer to take a walk was more to distract Gwen than anything, but right now, that was what they seemed to need the most. A distraction from the past the present, and the looming thoughts of a future that eerily resembled the previous event that had taken place here a year ago. While Benjy was fairly confident that nothing like that would happen again during this fair, nothing could be entirely certain these days.

“Lovely. Shall we, then?” He nodded in the general direction of where they could go, waiting for Gwen to follow before taking off on them. “How have you been, really? What sorts of things have you been up to? Quidditch going alright?” Benjy hadn’t played in what felt like ages, though he never thought he was good enough to become a professional player. That was a hobby specific to the grounds at Hogwarts.

“We shall.”

        Gwen followed Benjy through the crowd, trying to steady their breathing. They were thankful for the suggestion. She heard the questions that they asked, and Gwenog took a moment to think of her answer. “It’s been shakey.” The truth of it is accompanied by an uncomfortable laugh, Gwen’s gaze expertly trained on the sky. “I just lost Quidditch for a bit, and even when I have it I’m second string. And all of this war business is enough to put anyone on edge.” The momentum in the words fizzled a little, and Gwenog composed themselves with a sigh. “I’ll be all right though. Always am.”

      “Haven’t done much. Not anything worth noting at least. Emm and I might start up a book club -- which would be good.” It was something to take solace in for the time being. Even if it didn’t happen Gwen was happy to perpetuate the thought. She let a somber smile grace her lips, looking over at him. “How have you been, really?” Gwen parroted, although the sincerity in her voice was entirely true. “Has life been treating you well?”

[lukeselwynx]

A Spot of Fresh Air

[beaterjones]

lukeselwynx‌:

“You– Professionally?” Oh, Merlin… Now he was standing there, feeling like an idiot. Of course, with his luck, out of anyone in the world that he could have run into, he ran into - not only a Harpies fan - no, a literal player. His cheeks flushed as he pursed his lips in embarrassment for a moment. “Oh I feel like a bloody fool–” Luke tried to laugh it off. They were being nice about it, of course. He just had this horrible habit of feeling like an idiot, somehow always managing to make it worse along the way.

“I’ll admit, I don’t… I don’t watch, not really, and I don’t know her… or even of her.” Better to go ahead and get it out now. The topic that he was more familiar with, however, was very obviously of interest to him. It was visible in his eyes; they glistened with excitement and intrigue, like he wanted to know what they knew about it, and wanted to teach them. “I do both, actually! I play piano, mainly, but I can mess around on a few different instruments. I sing professionally. I’ve actually been on a few tours,” he replied, although not too proudly. He wasn’t boastful, and given his current situation, he couldn’t exactly rub it in anyone’s face anyway. So instead he spoke as though he were proud of himself for his accomplishment, like he was impressed he somehow made it that far.

Gwenog chuckled. 

       Nodding a little she looked at the stranger. “Yeah professionally.” They affirmed, watching the nervousness spread across his features. Gwen hadn’t meant to make them uncomfortable. “Don’t feel like a fool,” She protested. “I’m second string anyway. Unless you caught a game with our first-string out sick, then you would have been hard-pressed to know that anyway. It’s all right, really.” Gwenog said, feeling bad that she had brought it up in general. It made sense that he knew less about Quidditch than the average person though. When he admitted that he didn’t know who Hestia was she understood what level of familiarity she was dealing with. 

        The dramatic shift in tone was striking to see within him. “I’m rubbish when it comes to all that,” Gwen admitted. It was nice that people were good at those sorts of things though. It was nice to enjoy the fruits of their labor without understanding necessarily the process of it all. “Are you on tour in London then?” Gwenog asked, noting the sense of pride that crept into the other’s voice. “Traveling around for those must have been fun. Have you seen anything worth noting?” 

[oscar-piastri]

#brotherhood