@alessandraesmee

“They always do.” Alice kept her cocky smile in place, even though she knew a cheap line wasn’t why Priya was talking to her. But it served its purpose, and that’s all Alice needed from it. She didn’t like playing a part, and she certainly wasn’t the best at it in the auror department, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t do it. It was a necessary skill for an auror, and even more so for an auror who was a member of a secret, illegal, vigilante organization. Alice quirked an eyebrow at Priya, still the playful flirt. “Trust me, politics wash off just fine. I’d be happy to give you a hands-on demonstration.” 

But as interest in their conversation waned, Alice dropped some of the cheer and charm. “Alice, nice to meet you.” She shook Priya’s hand firmly, not using it to pull her in for a hug like she would a friend, but neither placing a lingering kiss on the back of it like she might if she were truly flirting. Alice took a sip of her drink and nodded to Priya. “There are definitely less busy bodies in a place like this, I’ll give you that. Any business you’re particularly not interested in talking about? Just so I can make sure I avoid it.”

Head tipping back, Priya released a belly laugh as her hand reached out to steady herself on her arm. "Confidence, one of my favorite traits," she said, shifting to cross one leg over the other as she settled further onto her seat. It may all be an act, but Priya wasn't a stranger to projecting an image, and if people needed to see two strangers meeting, then she could definitely work that. While not a skill she necessarily liked, it was necessary in the wide world of mind-numbing bureaucracy.

Taking a beat, she pointedly let her eyes roam over her form from beyond the lip of her wineglass as she took a slow sip. "I am flattered, though also married," she finally said after a beat and a very quick flick of her eyes around, character breaking only a fraction to indicate the other people in this public place, "But if good conversation is what you're after, then you have come to the right place," she said with a grand sweeping gesture of her wine glass, "Though talks of politics and bureaucracy is hardly the titillating conversational topic that I'd settle on. Excellent way to fall asleep however. So droll."

Amita Suman as Inej Gjafa in Shadow and Bone s2 (x9)

alessandraesmee:

Alice very much liked Priya’s sense of style. It was way more work than Alice ever wanted to put into her appearance, but she appreciated that it was important to Priya, or at least seemed to be, and that the younger woman wasn’t bowing to the expectations of others. In that way, Priya with her colorful and complicated ensembles was the same as Alice with her mended jeans and comfortable boots. Priya’s middle finger to society was just not quite as immediately recognizable as Alice’s. Of course, that was probably because Alice had left behind much more than just the dresses her mother had always wanted her to wear.

“You’re talking to me, aren’t you? I’d say it’s working right now.” Alice’s smile was all lazy confidence as she turned on her stool to face Priya, resting an elbow on the bartop. She wasn’t actually trying to pick the former Gryffindor up, for a lot of reasons, but she could put on a good show. She didn’t want any of the White Wyvern’s other patrons wondering too hard about why two women from different houses with a seven year age gap were so familiar. And besides, she’d always been the friendly sort. “And you call dark and seedy an appropriate atmosphere? That’s good to know. Obviously, I agree, but you have more of a posh air about you.”

Priya recognized Alice, of course, but she also understood the importance of the game they were playing and why the steps needed to be taken in the order that they were. While Priya was part of the Order, she saw herself as more of a shadow member than anything else, assisting where she could with money and the bureaucracy. And Alice was quite the opposite.

Propping her elbow on the bar, she rested her chin in her palm as she cradled her glass in her hand, idly swirling the wine around inside it with a polite smile and a knowing glitter to her dark eyes. "Touché. Your tactics seem to be working quite well," she admitted with a low chuckle, lifting her glass to take a sip as she turned more to face her, "I seem posh, but that's because politics don't wash off very well. I'll be one of the first to admit that I'm nowhere near as posh as people think I am. And dark and seedy has its benefits…less nosy folk wanting to talk business in a place like this. Just what the healer ordered."

Shifting to set her wine glass on the countertop, careful to keep it in her line of sight, the black haired woman reached her now free hand out to shake. "I'm Priya…nice to meet you," she stated politely.

fauvehoof:

Lily tried to jerk out of the way of Priya’s pinch, failing horribly as the weakness and soreness of her limbs made her movements sluggish. There was a brief laugh of victory though, as she realized she was on too many potions to really feel it, instead just experiencing a light pressure.

“Hah!” Lily boasted teasingly, catching Priya’s wrist in her hand to stay her from continuing the punishment. “Well then good! We’re both getting what we want then.” It sounded so much more argumentative than Lily had intended, considering they were both just affirming that they’d like to be in each other’s company for the foreseeable future. But even this banter was such a relief to Lily’s overtired nerves.

“I’m warm? Good.” Lily sighed happily, pulling Priya closer to her again. It was honestly a relief to hear that she still felt pleasant and human in some way, because she felt anything but.

Priya chuckled softly as her hand relaxed where it was trapped, not intending to do more than the one pinch in the first place, giving the redhead a grin in response. It did her heart good to see Lily smiling in spite of what she knew must have happened to her, but she wasn't about to push. She wasn't a mind healer, or any sort of therapist, but she'd be there for her friend, as was expected of any kinds of friends.

"Oh, yeah? Fine then," she shot back, amusement glittering in her dark eyes as she dropped her head to the pillow as well within inches of her, "You're stuck with me, you toaster oven. Figured you'd have resigned yourself to that fact by now. Someone's gotta keep me warm in this bloody country, since traditional robes are far too tacky to cover all of this." Her hand lifted to make a casual gesture towards her general self, shooting her another warm smile as she did. She wasn't about to point out the warming charms into just about every piece of her clothing, though she knew it would likely come up all the same.

"For the record, you're warm and comfortable," she quipped, before getting a teasing expression on her face as she reaches up to poke her cheek gently, "Though still a little pale. But you're Red, so it's expected. No one's perfect...except me. I'm definitely perfect. Zero problematic traits or features whatsoever."

handwriting pseudo-meme

(go here and find which font best fit's your muse's handwriting, then post their signature)

font chosen: dalton white

AMITA SUMAN via ig stories 19.04.23

fauvehoof:

Lily leaned into Priya’s touch immediately, eyes closing. She couldn’t even feel self conscious about it, she knew Priya understood her. Lily chuckled, snorting softly as she imagined little Priya wrestling a sweater off of James’ back. That would be worth paying money to see. Priya wrestle anything, really… but her husband was a top contender.

“No…” Lily groaned, “Don’t go- I’m sorry if I’m horrendous to look at, but don’t leave for anything just yet, please.” Lily hugged Priya’s arm, and even though her tone was teasing, her expression was quite genuine.

Lily took several long breaths as Priya waited for an answer, just focusing on the softness of Priya’s skin, her perfume, the relief of knowing her hands wouldn’t harm her. “I’m pregnant.” Lily’s voice cracked a little. She opened her eyes, immediately focusing on reading Priya’s face, searching.

Priya deliberately twisted her face down into a parody of a scowl, giving her a shake of her head. "Don't laugh at me," she chided quietly, broad smile slipping onto her features as she smoothed her thumb over her cheek to keep her focused and distracted, "I can take him. I'll make him cry. And it won't even be an adorable cry, but an ugly cry. He'll be ugly crying. Then I'll steal his clothes and bring them to you."

Rolling her eyes with nearly enough force to nearly make them fall from her eye sockets, the black haired woman found an unmarked piece of skin not covered in bandages to gently pinch her. "Lily Jaqueline Evans Potter, if you think for one moment I'm going to move any time soon, you really haven't been paying attention all these years," she teased gently, "I'm going to stay here for a while, cause you're warm, and this drafty island is soggy and drafty."

Drawing back at the revelation, Priya studied her face with dark eyes as she gave her a smile. "Are we happy about this," she asked quietly, scooting just a bit closer, "Or are we not?"

Priya slowly crossed her thighs, giving her wine glass a slow, casual swirl of the red liquid inside as she gave a very feline stretch of her back. While the drinks here may have left something to be desired, people watching was definitely a peak attraction here. Sure, she caught the appreciative glances, how couldn't she when she knew she looked good, but she was also (supposedly) happily married. But what everyone else doesn't know won't damage her reputation.

Lifting her eyes, she shot Emmeline a small smile and gestured to one of the stools nearby. "Absolutely not. Pretty sure muggles make better merlot in a box, but I'm not exactly here to enjoy the merlot," she said dryly, flashing her a wide grin, "I come here to watch people...and see what kind of drama may be stirred up by liquor and lowered inhibitions. Better than going home and listening to the shows on the wireless."

The dark, the doom and the gloom and the oddly nice ability to disappear into the background. Emmeline could go on and on about the advantages of a place such as the White Wyvern and why it seemed to be her place to go to when needing to clear her head. At times she’d go over her notes, other times she would just sit and observe the crowd around; watched the world pass by in varying forms. Every now and then a familiar face would show. Sometimes someone she’d end up talking with, other times people who would make her vanish even further into the background. When her eyes landed on Priya though, it was more so a person that brought with her something that caused a hint of curiosity to appear.

Within a few steps Emmeline was next to the other. “Is the Merlot here any good?” Truthfully, when it came to her choice of beverage, she was more straightforward by going directly to her favorite; fire whiskey or a cup of peppermint tea. The latter not being something Emmeline would ever dare order in a place such as this. It was more something to be enjoyed within the confines of her very own flat just a few shops down the alley. “Seems like someone’s had a long day, hm?” The witch allowed herself to lean against the bar for the moment. @priyarajani

fauvehoof:

Lily stared into Priya’s eyes, lost in their darkness, the mirrored quality they so often had, able to hold light so deeply. She was only able to half listen, her mind quieting as she watched Priya talk, feeling a warm calm, akin to sleep.

“Actually would really appreciate a sweater or two of James’... if he’s willing to spare them.” Lily replied, stretching and holding Priya tighter still. “...I can’t wait to wash my hair. Like a proper shower? Or just a hot washcloth? I could cry thinking about it.” Lily chuckled.

“There is something that I should tell you. I didn’t know, until today.”

Priya watched Lily in silence for several moments as she gave her a soft smile, reaching her hand out to brush her hair behind her ear and cup her cheek with all the gentleness she was known for. She didn't need it spelled out that Lily had suffered, not when it was so clearly shown with the shadows that seemed to cling to her.

"Well, that I can help with. Doesn't matter if he's willing, he'll find that he's going to be missing several sweaters. And anything else I deem necessary," she added for good measure, "And here in a bit I'll go get some warm water and wash your hair for you. Be like a dorm spa day all over again."

Her eyes flicked back to Lily's curiously, raising her eyebrow slightly as she waited in silence for as long as her Gryffindor patience lasted. "What is it, Red?"

alessandraesmee:

Ever since her run in with Peter Pettigrew back in December, Alice had been dropping by the White Wyvern at random in the hopes of seeing him again. She got the sense that Peter regretted his actions but he just didn’t know how to make amends, and she wanted to help. Of course, she hadn’t had much success yet, probably because she kept missing Peter. Either that or he was avoiding her on purpose, Alice wasn’t sure. Luck wasn’t with Alice again today, at least not as far as her quest to redeem Peter was concerned, but luck was with her in a different way. 

Alice didn’t know Priya Patil as well as she knew some of the other Order members from that graduating class, but she liked the Gryffindor. There was a fire in the young woman that Alice liked to see, but she wasn’t as much of a firebrand as some of her housemates. If Alice was honest, Priya reminded her a little of Frank and that was definitely a big part of why she liked the young woman so much. Alice had long since discovered that one of the nice things about pubs is no one ever really questioned someone striking up a conversation with a random stranger, so there was nothing to stop her from sliding into the stool next to Priya. “Now what’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a dirty old place like this?”

Priya knew she looked out of place; it was a nearly constant effect of wearing saris where robes are expected, or any number of other things that she does that just don't jive with British or wizarding culture. But she wasn't one to particularly care, either. She loved her culture and heritage, and would continue showing it off until her dying day. Plus, seeming to be refined and put together does have it's perks in being able to create a certain level of underestimation. She may be a Gryffindor, but she can see the value of some casual Slytherin tactics, though she'd tire of them soon enough and go back to the much easier methods of utter brashness.

Turning to Alice, the Indian beauty found herself grinning in response as she tips her head slightly. "Just out of curiosity...does that line work for you often," she asked with a wide smile as she plucked up her wine glass to sip at it, "But I've been to dirtier and older places. The aesthetics aren't as important as presence of alcohol, and appropriately themed atmosphere."

1.02 // 2.08

fauvehoof:

“I am lucky for that, yes.” Lily retorted proudly, feeling herself melt as Priya returned the embrace. She needed touch- specifically the kind that came from affection, it was better than any potion St. Mungo’s could offer. Lily remembered reading through her mother’s nursing courses- how they spoke to patients needing touch as a form of care, but she either hadn’t been aware of it when it happened or it hadn’t been enough to satisfy her comfort.

Lily listened to her friend with a dreamy smile, eyes closed, as she drew Priya as close to her as physically possible. She buried her nose against Priya’s hair, her scent an intoxicating stress reliever. “Hmmm….” Lily sighed in mock consideration. “What is the phrase, have gun will travel?”

While being able to see her friends and the people she loved in such a state while staying calm wasn't Priya's strong suit, per se, she did match the strength of the other woman as she tightened her arms around her too. She knew Lily would say if it was hurting her; or on second thought, she might not, but that was simply a gamble Priya was going to have to take because the urge to never let the redhead out of her sight was nigh overwhelming.

"At the risk of sounding disgustingly pureblooded, is a gun those things that we saw in that Star Wars movie before graduation," she asked softly, "Because if so, you can shoot a confringo at people all you'd like. I'll probably join you." Sighing quietly, she pulled back to look her over before giving her a warm smile. "Remind me to bring you clothing tomorrow, Red, hospital gown white is not your color," she teased gently, "Totally washes you out. And you don't have a lot of color to spare, luv."

fauvehoof:

Lily smiled up at Priya- almost as if she didn’t notice that her eyes were also filling with tears. At first, Lily didn’t say anything, she just looked up into her face as if it was the sun. All of the cursed wounds on Lily’s chest and arms were bandaged, so she didn’t even have to be self conscious about those.

“Priya-” Lily said happily, sitting up and reaching her arms around her friend, Lily fell back, fully pulling Priya onto the bed with her. “Okay-” Lily said, tucking Priya’s face against her neck, holding her tightly. “Mmmhm that’s better. I’ve got my little spoon.”

Priya found her eyes drinking in the sight of the other woman, noting the bandages she could see. She'd known what had happened, at least the cliff notes, and knew just what everyone else was likely obsessing over and asking just how she was doing. Which meant, more than enough people obsessing over every mood the redhead may have about anything and everything when they weren't treating her like broken glass.

She smashed down her pride, allowing herself to get dragged into the bed and against the other woman with a soft chuckle. "You're lucky I love you, Red," she murmured dryly, wrapping her arms around her in return as she breathed out a soft sigh, "Remind me when we're scheduled to run away together, again? Was it this year, or next year?" The age-old joke would likely never get old, especially if uttered in the presence of those who would react to it. Then again, if Lily ever seemed a fraction serious, she wasn't sure whether the joke could remain a joke for long.

Priya strode purposefully through the halls of the hospital after her brief stop to find her target room, chin held high and looking every inch like she belonged. Confidence is key...and totally the fastest way to ensure she wasn't questioned by every employee she passed on the way.

Stepping into the doorway, and creating the confusing conundrum of both filling the doorway with her presence, but physically...she was a slight, petit form standing in the door. Shifting to rest her shoulder against the doorjamb, the dusky skinned woman watched the redhead on the bed. Taking a moment to adjust the pallu of purple silk over her shoulder she pushed off of the structure to walk toward the bed.

"Never thought I'd see the day you pretended to be the meek patient who absolutely listens to the healers," she said in her lightly accented voice, giving her a warm smile, "How are you doing, Red?"

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Open Starter ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 

Mid January, 1982

St. Mungo’s

Lily paced around her hospital room in small, wavering lines, trying to be as quiet as possible. If the mediwix found her out of bed, again, she’d never hear the end of it, but they didn’t seem to realize how much they were asking of her when they said “sit still”.

She knew that the cocktail of potions she was regularly receiving just to keep her calm and without pain was messing with her balance, but it didn’t matter- she wanted to move. Lily wanted to help herself to the window, to the neighboring patients, to the one mediwix she kept pestering for potion opinions, even as they chided her for being away from bed. She wanted to see what she felt like seeing, and go where she felt like going- because she could. Because she was free to.

With a wince, Lily’s eyes widened as she heard someone walking down the corridor, approaching her room. If it hadn’t been for the potions- the sound would have sent her into a panic attack, but for now Lily’s biggest concern was not getting caught out of bed.

With a breath of relief, Lily eased herself into her bed, victorious. She couldn’t watch the silhouette fill the door way- that was still too much, but Lily just kept her eyes down, waiting for her guest to reveal themselves.

amita suman what the hell

Where: White Wyvern

Who: Anyone

Appearing at the end of the alley with a soft crack, Priya heaved a light sigh as she walked her way toward the White Wyvern, the soft silk of her embroidered sari shifting around her body as she moved smoothly. She knew the bright, happy red with it's gold embroidery was a little on the nose for her house, but sometimes the people here needed a reminder that while she looked like a foreigner (and was technically one) she was also quite familiar with the local culture, having been a part of it nearly as long as that of her home culture.

"Bloody hell, do I regret wearing these bloody heels today," she murmured softly as she pushed the door open, raising her chin as she scanned around to approach the bar with a dignified air, shifting into the seat with a loud sigh as the propriety just melted off her and she found herself relaxing for the first time that day, "Merlot, please, for the love of Merlin."

Her chin landed in her palm as she propped her elbow on the bar top, awaiting the liquor she felt that she rightfully deserved.