Pull Me Closer

"You should never regret anything in life. If it's good it's wonderful. If it's bad it's an experience." -Victoria Holt

[marlenemeri]

Lily: I trust James.

Marlene: You think he knows what he’s doing?

Lily: I’m not sure I’d go that far.

[trescomplique]

Kats face 😂

[boldkadenas-deactivated20241107]

Sometimes stars align,

sometimes they collide.

[marlenemeri]

alastor:

“You’re not imposing,” Greylyn promised her at the same time Alastor said it. They exchanged a glance with each other before Alastor spoke. “I wouldn’t have offered if you would be imposing.” It was odd for Marlene to be here, but it was always odd to introduce people to another side of his life like this. “Come on, couch is this way.” He led the way into the sitting room, Eimhir bouncing after him. Greylyn smiled at Marlene reassuringly.

“You can just call me Greylyn, you don’t need to call me ma’am,” she told Marlene, herding her into the sitting room after Alastor with her hand on Marlene’s shoulder. “Though please call him Moody. It sounds so ridiculous.”

“Oi, it’s your last name too now,” Alastor shot back as he brought three cups of tea to the table at the center of the little circle of armchairs and the sofa. “You don’t get to make fun of it. Marlene, I have no idea how you take your tea.”

"I thought you invited me here so I didn’ die in the bar?” Marlene replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. Marlene was sad to release her hold on the dog but found herself leaning into Greylyn’s touch. Marlene was such a sucker for parental figures, craving affection at any moment it was offered.

“He said I can’t call him Mad-Eye even though he calls me Noodle so Moody’s all I get,” Marlene confided, the ghost of a laugh leaving her lips. “I think that’s exactly why she gets to make fun of it, though. Like, does that make sense?” She was starting to doubt her own judgement.

Plopping herself down on the couch she took a moment to ponder the way she took her tea. “Two sugars an’ honey usually but I’d take whatever.” Marlene shrugged, eyes wandering around the room as she took it all in.

[marlenemeri]

alastor:

“Long story.” It wasn’t. But Alastor didn’t want to talk about any of it in public, which is really how he ended up in the whole situation. He raised his eyebrows at Marlene when they arrived, half expecting her to be sick right then and there. “You sure?”

Eimhir kept wagging her tail as Greylyn came down the hall to join them. Alastor offered her an apologetic smile, which she responded to by rolling her eyes. She was, as usual, casually dressed, her dark hair in a loose braid and wearing an oversized jumper that nearly reached her knees. “Do I look like a roommate?” she asked. Alastor rolled his magical eye and looked back at Marlene.

“Marlene, this is my wife Greylyn,” he told her. “Greylyn, this is Marlene.”

Greylyn smiled at Marlene. “Have either of you eaten? Do you want some tea? Might help you feel better.”

“'M fine,” Marlene mumbled, in awe of the woman at the end of the hall. She blinked, watching this gorgeous woman approach. “N-No, I guess not.” She replied, glancing over at Alastor. How had she never imagined him in a house with a wife? Marlene now kicked herself for never asking. He was always down to business that it had never occurred to her. She recalled a conversation long ago regarding if things were ideal he’d be happily married with kids.

Again, Marlene glanced over at Alastor for some sort of cue for how to proceed. “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” she greeted with some of her wits returning. “Don’ want to impose. Moody’s already letting me sleep on the couch..”

[marlenemeri]

Ceteris Paribus

[marlenemeri]

tilden:

Tilden let herself be a bit more at ease when Marlene started to eat, and finally sat down on the curb next to her. She rested her hands in her lap, looking down at her shoes until Marlene spoke. She looked up at her. “Your cat?” she repeated. “Oh, yeah. Totally. I’m great with cats.” She didn’t make a joke. She wanted to, but it was immature and inappropriate given the fact that Marlene had been close to a complete breakdown less than five minutes ago. “You know, I’ve found not comparing yourself to your siblings helps increase your feelings of self worth. Take a breath. Smokey– Smokey, right?– is fine. I’ll make sure he’s fed and stuff. What else can I do?”

How could Marlene have forgotten Smokey? She supposed it was just the nature of her life at the moment. She would get caught in work or Order business and suddenly she woke up from a haze and needed to rush home. Marlene made a mental note to set some stricter boundaries for how long her shifts were after this. “It’s hard not to when you’ve got three of them,” she mumbled bitterly. “Smokey should be okay, yeah,” she nodded, allowing herself to blindly believe Tilden’s words. It was for the best. “I... You’ve seen my siblings? They’re okay?”

[marlenemeri]

alastor:

“Probably because I asked her not to,” Alastor said dryly. He stood and took Marlene’s arm. “Don’t throw up on the carpet,” he told her before apparating them into his front entryway.

As promised, Eimhir was the first to come charging into the hall, her tail wagging with excitement as she stuck her nose against Marlene’s hand, sniffing her curiously. “You’re not going to throw up, are you?” Alastor asked, frowning at Marlene.

“Who’s throwing up?” Greylyn appeared at the end of the hall, head peeping out from the kitchen with curiosity. She frowned at Marlene too. “Oh, goodness. Are you alright, dear?”

“Well why’d you do that?” Marlene huffed again, standing up gracelessly. “I don’ think I’m gonna puke.” She wasn’t upset but did feel much like a petulant child being caught by their father drunk for the first time. She still hadn’t done that in front of Mr. McKinnon. She usually watched her liquor a little closer.

Upon Apparating, Marlene did feel a wave of nausea hit that she attempted to swallow down. She blinked, her world shifting from side to side. “N-No, I--” She stopped, peering at the woman at the end of the hall. “I didn’t know Moody had a roommate,” she blurted out, scratching the dog’s ears.

[marlenemeri]

alastor:

It’s not about being tough, I just don’t like it. And you are a Noodle, that’s not my fault. [ he shrugs ] Sirius and Lily have both been there, it’s not like it’s that much of a secret. [ he snorts ] Well the offer’s there, if you want it. Probably best, before you pass out at the bar. I’m not carrying you. 

“I still blame you.” Marlene huffed, taking a sip of her water with a grimace. After all of the drinks the nonalcoholic beverage felt odd sliding down her throat. “I didn’ know that! How come Lily didn’ tell me that? Lily should've told me that,” she hiccuped with a pout. “Fine, but I’m mostly doin’ this so I can pet your dog.”

[valiantheartdorcas]

Ceteris Paribus

[marlenemeri]

dorcas:

Dorcas didn’t speak at first, she just held Marlene close. Reveled in the fact that she was alive, and okay. She too was fighting back tears of sheer relief. She’d seen a fair few familiar faces, but as the night went on the fact that she hadn’t seen Marlene had worried her. “I’m alright.” She finally said. “Few bumps and bruises, was gonna head to St.Mungo’s soon to get checked out. It can wait though.” She said as she placed a hand on Marlene’s cheek. “Are you okay?” Immediately she was looking her over for any sign of injury.

Marlene insisted upon keeping her arm around Dorcas, keeping the pair a close as possible. She was so relieved that her girlfriend was doing alright. “I can check you,” Marlene offered gently. “I’m fine. I wasn’t in the fray. I got pulled into the hospital straight away and I’ve barely gotten away to find you.” She admitted. “I was hoping I’d run into my siblings by now but..” She shook her head, trying not to think of that. “I’m just so glad to see you.”

[marlenemeri]

marcus:

“Life is too short to be polite”

"I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

[marlenemeri]

Ceteris Paribus

[marlenemeri]

sirius:

Sirius could easily tell her that he saw her dart out of the building and made a quick diversion, but that’s not keeping things low profile at all. And he knows what it feels like to have things get the better of you. 

He’s never been too good at hiding what he was feeling. 

“Right now I’m checking up on you.” 

Marlene found herself wondering what she was doing. Not right that moment, that part she was well aware of. She wondered what she was doing in this war. She was soft, delicate, and threw herself into the fray like a china doll in a windstorm. A recipe for disaster.

She shook herself and looked at Sirius through the tears in her eyes. “I-I’ll be fine,” she stuttered. “I th-think I’m just tired.”

[marlenemeri]

narcissa:

She raises her eyebrows bordley, “Thank you.” She shakes her head, “It’s not drama with my him, there is- was another man. But that’s… over now.” Narcissa glances towards Marlene, not certain what’s made her be honest with the stranger. She knows Marlene won’t make the connection between herself and Hercules, but she’s drunk enough to toe the line of curiosity. Has he mentioned her name? Narcissa takes another sip of her drink.

“Ooh, another man? Spill.” Marlene leaned in earnestly, hoping that Narcissa would actually share the juicy details. A part of her mind was nagging her that this felt familiar but she pushed it aside. Not the time, she was much too drunk to make any connections. “C’mon, Narcissa! You’re a gorgeous woman with a real delicate feel to ya. Gimme the hot gossip. I’m sure it’s not so bad.”

[marlenemeri]

Ceteris Paribus

[marlenemeri]

hercules:

Hercules shook his head. “Then you don’t have to be,” he said firmly. “Come stay with me for a few days. Will you be annoyed if there are kids there? We didn’t have enough places to put kids after this, so I’ll be having a kid at my house for a while, apparently.” It was clear by his tone that he wasn’t comfortable with the concept in the slightest. He nodded, standing up and putting his hand out for Marlene. “Do any of your superiors know what I look like?” he asked. “Perks of us all being adopted– it’s super easy to pretend we’re not related. I’ll just go say I need you for something and you can go.”

Marlene sighed gratefully at the offer and shook her head. “I don’t mind, Herc. Honestly, I think it’s for the better. You’re a McKinnon, Herc. We’re great with kids.” She gave her brother a watery smile. “No, they know I have siblings but not what you look like.” She gave a watery laugh next at his joke. “Thank you.”

[marlenemeri]

Ceteris Paribus

[marlenemeri]

dorcas:

Dorcas had tried to go to Marlene’s house but upon realizing she wasn’t home she had decided to show up with food (a homecooked meal), sweets and flowers. Knowing if Dorcas had been a bit overworked (and her word didn’t even involve any of this usually! She was just equipped for it) than Marlene had to be even more overworked. However, upon seeing her girlfriend lower herself to the ground, curl up, she practically ran over. Dropping to sit next to her and wrapping her arms around Marlene. “Hey love, are you okay?” She asked softly, her eyes searching Marlene for any sign of injury, but also assuming it had just been a really hard week. 

There was something utterly relieving about hearing Dorcas’ voice even through the storm of her breakdown. Marlene didn’t know how to describe the wave of control that flowed through her body whenever Dorcas was near. Turmoil was breaking out all around them and yet Dorcas Meadowes was the rock that held Marlene in place. She buried her face in Doe’s neck at the hug and breathed in her girlfriend’s smell. The smell of Home. “I-I’m just t-tired,” she mumbled into Dorcas’ skin, wanting to remain there forever. Marlene did pull away after a moment, however, and attempted to look much more in control than she had been moments ago. “Are you?”

[chandlerbings]

[petersquill]

[marlenemeri]

@herckinnon

[clintbartons]

Aisha Dee as Kat Edison in The Bold Type 2.02 - “Rose Colored Glasses”