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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 21, 2013 23:14:16 GMT -5
Oh, it had been years since Wynn had been in Diagon Alley, and even then it had involved her bowed head behind her parents' imposing, striding figures. But she needed somewhere to stay, and surely there were places other than the grimy pub at the entrance, plus she needed to replenish her potion ingredient supply and she had hoped to find the bookstore. In the heat, her frustration and near-hopelessness was likely far more apparent than she would have liked.
But it couldn't be helped, not when her hair insisted on breaking free of the tie she had pulling it back to create an almost frenzied dark halo around her head. It was her first time truly on her own and she hated the thought of asking someone else for help, wishing dearly to prove to herself she could handle being alone. The strap of her bag dug into her shoulder, yet another annoyance.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 21, 2013 23:28:26 GMT -5
Dare had just come from a visit with Matthew and Rhys, and was now running errands. He'd needed some time out, and so the twins were at home, the dogs were at home, and the husband was at home. He carried a small bag of groceries charmed to stay cold and entertained himself people-watching when they weren't looking. They did a lot of looking.
He'd think that by now Diagon Alley would be bored of him, but apparently the fact that he dressed differently and was perhaps on the tall side meant that he was still an anomaly after five years. Oh well. If he wanted to fit in he wouldn't transfigure his hair.
During his on-and-off people-watching it would have been hard not to notice the lost-looking witch. When, after a moment's distraction window-shopping she was still standing there, Dare decided to at least attempt to help.
"Hey, can I help you find anything?" he asked, coming up next to her.
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 21, 2013 23:44:49 GMT -5
Wynne started at the sudden appearance of another person, especially one that was a full half-foot taller than her. "Oh, hi, I...it's just been quite a while since I last walked through Diagon Alley," she said, eyeing the taller, eccentric man. "I've been away for a few years, is all, I was much younger and it's rather different now." Why, of all people, had the man with the odd hair decided to offer her help?
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 22, 2013 0:10:01 GMT -5
Dare knew that look, and sighed inwardly. At least she'd managed to talk to him politely instead of scampering off to safety. "I lived here a couple years ago," he said. "I'm familiar with the place, if you'd like me to point you somewhere. Unless you were just window-shopping." If she claimed to have been doing exactly that, he'd apologize for taking up her time and leave her alone. His so-called hero issues only extended so far.
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 22, 2013 0:14:27 GMT -5
"Well, I'm hoping to find some place to stay," Wynne said. She glanced back toward the entrance to Diagon Alley. "To be honest I don't quite trust the place back there. I was also hoping for the ingredients and book shops, but I just can't find them. It's silly, isn't it? Every shop has these signs..." Her eyes drifted above them to where a wooden sign hung swinging in the breeze.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 22, 2013 0:19:58 GMT -5
"Ah," Dare said. "Well unless you want to stay in Muggle London, there isn't really anywhere on Diagon Alley anymore. The guy who owns the Leaky Cauldron has a bad reputation which he fully deserves, and a lot of people are just waiting for him to be forced to sell. I can show you the shops, though." His ruffled feathers smoothed back down that easily, and he wrote off the look she'd given him as genuine curiosity. That he could handle.
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 22, 2013 0:28:59 GMT -5
Wynne's face fell slightly at the knowledge there were no places to stay, but she perked at the promise he could help her with shops. "I think that would be lovely," she said. "What is your name? I'm Wynne Aislinn, I've been on the mainland of Europe the past few years." She had just gotten out of an apprenticeship and was hoping to find someone in need of her assistance.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 22, 2013 15:59:37 GMT -5
"Alasdair Blackwood-Hardt," Dare answered, since she seemed so formal. "Everyone calls me Dare, though." He gestured down Diagon Alley, where the potions shop was. "Most people on Diagon Alley live in flats over their shops," he said. "Since the Leaky Cauldron's gone downhill I've heard of people staying at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, but that's either a long way to apparate or a trip on the Knight Bus. Were you wanting to stay around here?"
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 22, 2013 16:03:04 GMT -5
"I'm...not sure, actually. To be honest, I hadn't planned things out as well as I should have," Wynne said. Hardt, that was a name she knew, though it had been a while since she had heard it. "I've just come out of my apprenticeship and am hoping to find work on my own." It was scary but, she was a little wary to admit, exciting.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 22, 2013 16:07:51 GMT -5
"What do you want to do?" Dare asked. With potions and books it could be anything. Not many people made their own potions, but it wasn't unheard of. "I know about everyone on Diagon Alley, maybe I could help you out. Free of charge, you don't owe me anything, I swear." He flashed his wedding ring as subtly as possible in declaration that he wasn't hitting on her.
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 22, 2013 17:33:12 GMT -5
Wynne smiled and inclined her head at the flash of a ring. "I'm actually a governess. I could probably get a lead or two if I asked my parents, but as I said, I'd like to be on my own a little." It was still a relief having someone offer to give her a hand. This was her first time out on her own and, though she was confident in her professional abilities, being out in the world posed a much different challenge.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 22, 2013 17:45:23 GMT -5
"A governess," Dare repeated, surprise flashing into his eyes. That was a word he and Michael had tossed around a couple times, along with tutor and German. "I might just know someone who's looking for a governess," he said. His gaze sharpened a bit as he started putting things together instead of letting them float in the air.
"These people are asking a lot and need someone very open-minded, but you'd be treated well and maybe make a difference." He thought they were asking a lot, but they couldn't very well ask for less and Dare didn't have any idea just how much governesses were supposed to know to begin with. Everything he knew he'd learned recently from Michael.
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 22, 2013 17:56:32 GMT -5
Wynne looked over at Dare, considering. Very open-minded. "I was an apprentice for three years after two years in a finishing school, I have learned quite a bit about many different cultures and things, if that helps. I've learned quite a bit. I'm unsure what you mean about open-minded, though, do you mean culturally?" If so, she was more than open-minded.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jul 22, 2013 18:05:48 GMT -5
"And socially," Dare said. "There are three children, two toddlers and a newborn, two dogs, and a house-elf. One of the parents is Michael Blackwood-Hardt, and the other is his partner. Me. Society doesn't like us much, but we want to change that for our children. If you're still interested, I'll tell you more. Otherwise, it was nice meeting you and Flourish and Blott's is two doors down from the potions shop."
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Post by Wynne Aislinn on Jul 22, 2013 18:14:09 GMT -5
Wynne's eyes widened briefly and she looked away, considering. Dare was certainly unconventional in his appearance and he'd said his partner was Michael Blackwood-Hardt, who she felt safe assuming was one of the Hardts she'd heard about in the past. To work for a Hardt, though, would be very beneficial. Did she have the ability to help the children rise above such setbacks?
"Why are you interested in introducing your children to Society?" she asked curiously. If Michael was anything like Dare, and considering the two were partners, it didn't seem like they cared too much about being part of Society themselves.
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