In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
One of the best things about being a professor for the big man was that he was so close to his wife. He hadn’t really appreciated that a career change could improve his life. He loved his work and loved what he did - he literally had to be pressured out because no one in their right mind would try to force him out…look at him! However, after a summer of nothing but wall-to-wall travel and getting to see his wife more in 3 months than he had in probably any give 5 year span in their relationship, it had given him a new zest for life. Staying at Hogwarts during the week was exhausting after such a wonderful summer. By the time Friday rolled around he nearly dived into the Flo Network to get home!
On this weekend occasion, Makaio and his premiere racer-turned-coach, Leilani, were strolling through the lanes of Cork - the second largest city in Ireland. It had a magical feel to it even the parts that weren’t magic. The colorful buildings and autumn reflections on the river as they walked it’s paved edge gave it the ambiance they pair enjoyed most. “Definitely not like home, huh?” Makaio said during one pause as they leaned on the bannister running the length of the river walk. He was suddenly homesick for their tropical paradise homeland.
“Let’s make a plan at Christmas to go back. Escape the miserable cold that these people call ‘natural,’ hmm?” Leilani countered, with a nudge of their shoulders. Her fashionably cut asymmetric bob covering her eyes darkly.
Makaio liked that and gave her a warm smile. To be among palm trees with the sound of waves echoing the rhythm of his island. The memory and feel was nearly enough to make him have his first FIOM again and apparate back home!
“Hey,” Leilani nudged him, this time harder and against the ribs. So long sweet moment! Makaio grunted and opened his eyes to see what was so deserving of an assault. When he followed her eye line across the street he rolled his eyes. Of course. “Let’s go in,” she said, looking all the world like a schoolgirl again.
“Fine,” Makaio sighed, also sound like they were school kids dating again. They walked across the street and walked into a store cleverly designed as a cleaning service that inconspicuously only sold bedazzled brooms.
On this weekend occasion, Makaio and his premiere racer-turned-coach, Leilani, were strolling through the lanes of Cork - the second largest city in Ireland. It had a magical feel to it even the parts that weren’t magic. The colorful buildings and autumn reflections on the river as they walked it’s paved edge gave it the ambiance they pair enjoyed most. “Definitely not like home, huh?” Makaio said during one pause as they leaned on the bannister running the length of the river walk. He was suddenly homesick for their tropical paradise homeland.
“Let’s make a plan at Christmas to go back. Escape the miserable cold that these people call ‘natural,’ hmm?” Leilani countered, with a nudge of their shoulders. Her fashionably cut asymmetric bob covering her eyes darkly.
Makaio liked that and gave her a warm smile. To be among palm trees with the sound of waves echoing the rhythm of his island. The memory and feel was nearly enough to make him have his first FIOM again and apparate back home!
“Hey,” Leilani nudged him, this time harder and against the ribs. So long sweet moment! Makaio grunted and opened his eyes to see what was so deserving of an assault. When he followed her eye line across the street he rolled his eyes. Of course. “Let’s go in,” she said, looking all the world like a schoolgirl again.
“Fine,” Makaio sighed, also sound like they were school kids dating again. They walked across the street and walked into a store cleverly designed as a cleaning service that inconspicuously only sold bedazzled brooms.
@Koko Riddle
PC: Dennis Tumberton | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
The thing that was nice about Cork was that it wasn't England. The people there spoke differently than most people Koko had encountered in Mayfair when still living there, and especially differently than those she'd met while living with her father in Coventry. The art of people watching was one she'd trained herself in everywhere she'd lived or visited, but one she'd truly cultivated at school, and one she could now exercise in Cork. It became part of every outing – her life, after all, was hardly very interesting, and casting her amber gaze upon each curious passerby was one of the few things that added a bit of a spark, a bit of pizzazz, into Koko's days.
Despite the now months she had spent in Cork, it still was not second nature to hear an Irish brogue instead of Midlands or RP accents around her. The feel of the city was different – still a city, still enough to be stimulating, but instead of a distinct post-industrial feel, she was more often greeted by the wafting air of the River Lee, of still-unfamiliar buildings and cafés and acquaintances.
Today, she had truly needed to go out. Broom polishing was of the utmost importance, of course; without proper maintenance, none of her beloved rides would perform properly in a game. Should she get to play, that could prove simply horrendous! Plus, they just looked a bit prettier with a bit of shine.
She'd brought her Varápidos and Oakshaft 79 to a local cleaning shop that specialised in the truly expensive brooms. The loveliest thing about the shop was that, although they did clean, as their name suggested, they also sold accessories and custom-made brooms. Koko, being rather attached to her antique family heirloom of a broom, did not exactly need anything new. Nonetheless, when she brought her brooms in for cleaning, a shiny new broom could always catch her eye.
However, even as she was eyeing a lovely lightweight balsa broom, purportedly one of the fastest on the market, the old habit of people-watching came back to her. Her fingers brushed against the broom's tip and stayed there as her chin snapped upwards. Amber eyes locked in on a figure she hadn't seen before – not in person, at least. Her eyes widening, Koko smoothed down her overcoat and ensured her blouse was still tucked into her trousers before The Falcon herself could witness her in a state of disarray. In one of the shop's windows, she checked to ensure her hair was still falling in feathery layers around her face, that her lipstick was not smudged, that she looked as presentable as possible.
The Falcon – well, Leilani Kekao, if you wanted to get technical about it – was one of the racing superstars of the last decade. In fact, Koko could remember having read about her around the time she'd first gotten into Quidditch, and being in awe at how flawlessly the woman had combined style, glamour and athletic prowess. She supposed Leilani was something of a role model for her, or had been, at least, as Koko had, over the years, attempted to do the same.
And here she was, in the flesh! Straightening her spine and pulling her shoulders back, Koko smiled – genuinely, of course, but still in a manner she hoped would make her appear as if she were a professional businesswoman and not just an excited fresh graduate. She made her way towards the woman, her eyes shining even as her low heels clicked against the shop's wooden floor. 'Ms Kekao?'
Shit, she didn't have anything for the famous racer to sign. Koko folded her hands in front of her and hoped she didn't look like she'd just made a gigantic faux-pas. 'I apologise if this is a bit random! But I used to read racing and Quidditch magazines all the time when I was younger, and I thought I'd recognised you – The Falcon, yeah? An absolute icon.'
Her voice held all the warmth that a fangirl's could. However, it was only after she'd spoken with such warmth and sincerity that her laser-focus widened, and she realised the man who had been near Leilani Kekao. Her gaze immediately lost its sparkle, and this time, when her eyes widened, it was not in awe but rather in bewilderment. 'Professor Kāne! I didn't know you liked brooms!'
@Makaio Kāne
Despite the now months she had spent in Cork, it still was not second nature to hear an Irish brogue instead of Midlands or RP accents around her. The feel of the city was different – still a city, still enough to be stimulating, but instead of a distinct post-industrial feel, she was more often greeted by the wafting air of the River Lee, of still-unfamiliar buildings and cafés and acquaintances.
Today, she had truly needed to go out. Broom polishing was of the utmost importance, of course; without proper maintenance, none of her beloved rides would perform properly in a game. Should she get to play, that could prove simply horrendous! Plus, they just looked a bit prettier with a bit of shine.
She'd brought her Varápidos and Oakshaft 79 to a local cleaning shop that specialised in the truly expensive brooms. The loveliest thing about the shop was that, although they did clean, as their name suggested, they also sold accessories and custom-made brooms. Koko, being rather attached to her antique family heirloom of a broom, did not exactly need anything new. Nonetheless, when she brought her brooms in for cleaning, a shiny new broom could always catch her eye.
However, even as she was eyeing a lovely lightweight balsa broom, purportedly one of the fastest on the market, the old habit of people-watching came back to her. Her fingers brushed against the broom's tip and stayed there as her chin snapped upwards. Amber eyes locked in on a figure she hadn't seen before – not in person, at least. Her eyes widening, Koko smoothed down her overcoat and ensured her blouse was still tucked into her trousers before The Falcon herself could witness her in a state of disarray. In one of the shop's windows, she checked to ensure her hair was still falling in feathery layers around her face, that her lipstick was not smudged, that she looked as presentable as possible.
The Falcon – well, Leilani Kekao, if you wanted to get technical about it – was one of the racing superstars of the last decade. In fact, Koko could remember having read about her around the time she'd first gotten into Quidditch, and being in awe at how flawlessly the woman had combined style, glamour and athletic prowess. She supposed Leilani was something of a role model for her, or had been, at least, as Koko had, over the years, attempted to do the same.
And here she was, in the flesh! Straightening her spine and pulling her shoulders back, Koko smiled – genuinely, of course, but still in a manner she hoped would make her appear as if she were a professional businesswoman and not just an excited fresh graduate. She made her way towards the woman, her eyes shining even as her low heels clicked against the shop's wooden floor. 'Ms Kekao?'
Shit, she didn't have anything for the famous racer to sign. Koko folded her hands in front of her and hoped she didn't look like she'd just made a gigantic faux-pas. 'I apologise if this is a bit random! But I used to read racing and Quidditch magazines all the time when I was younger, and I thought I'd recognised you – The Falcon, yeah? An absolute icon.'
Her voice held all the warmth that a fangirl's could. However, it was only after she'd spoken with such warmth and sincerity that her laser-focus widened, and she realised the man who had been near Leilani Kekao. Her gaze immediately lost its sparkle, and this time, when her eyes widened, it was not in awe but rather in bewilderment. 'Professor Kāne! I didn't know you liked brooms!'
@Makaio Kāne
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
The shop, as to be expected, was more spacious on the inside than it looked from the outside. From the outside it just looked like a mom and pop laundromat like so many others across the island. But inside, the wooden display tables were well varnished and polished, everything had velvet pillows of all manner of colors, often mismatching, as was the way with wizard folk. Leilani couldn’t help but gently handle everything that was in open air cases while Makaio tried his hardest to look interested in what his wife was doing. This was one area that, being away from his wife for so long, he never really felt connected to since it had been her whole world and he was only tangentially involved at it in the best of times. However, he was supportive and gave her the Oos and awes she required, even though none of them were fooled.
She definitely was in need of a companion to really appreciate this local establishment. And the absolute most unexpected one came bouncing up loudly proclaiming herself. Makaio didn’t pay her any mind at first, there was no chance he’d have recognized her voice for how expressive it was in that moment. He walked away before attention could be drawn to him, and he pretended to be busy with other things.
“Oh, why hello there!” Leilani said, grinning as the young lady apparently recognized her. That was happening with less and less frequency these days as she took on the title of coach and stepped out of the limelight. It felt good still to be known in public, she didn’t feel like she was quite the washed up has-been yet. She laughed at the woman’s excitement, she was obviously very passionate. “I’m always glad to meet a fan. Well, you know so much about me, and who are you?”
Before she could get her answer though, the blond’s expression dropped as if she smelt something rotten. And then…she called her husband by name. Her eyebrows raised and she could have sworn she heard him growl lowly, “You got to be fucking kidding me…” Well, that was certainly no way to treat a fan of hers. When Makaio came over, she jabbed him hard in the ribs and mouthed, “Behave.”
“Koko Riddle. I should have known we would meet in a broom closet,” Makaio said, his tone changing to something perhaps more amicable. “I see you met my wife,” he said grinning, wrapping his arm around her. “Dear, please meet my…former student,” he dropped the adjectives to obey his wife, “Koko Riddle. She is very handy with a broom.” And ‘not with a wand’ was left out.
“Oh! So you are into broom sports? That’s wonderful! Maki doesn’t really share much about teaching at Hogwarts. Probably an old habit from his former employer.” Leilani said, refusing to let her husband ruin this sweet little moment. Somehow, though, Makaio couldn’t help but feel her using her pet name for him was a way of revenge for the rocky start.
@Koko Riddle
She definitely was in need of a companion to really appreciate this local establishment. And the absolute most unexpected one came bouncing up loudly proclaiming herself. Makaio didn’t pay her any mind at first, there was no chance he’d have recognized her voice for how expressive it was in that moment. He walked away before attention could be drawn to him, and he pretended to be busy with other things.
“Oh, why hello there!” Leilani said, grinning as the young lady apparently recognized her. That was happening with less and less frequency these days as she took on the title of coach and stepped out of the limelight. It felt good still to be known in public, she didn’t feel like she was quite the washed up has-been yet. She laughed at the woman’s excitement, she was obviously very passionate. “I’m always glad to meet a fan. Well, you know so much about me, and who are you?”
Before she could get her answer though, the blond’s expression dropped as if she smelt something rotten. And then…she called her husband by name. Her eyebrows raised and she could have sworn she heard him growl lowly, “You got to be fucking kidding me…” Well, that was certainly no way to treat a fan of hers. When Makaio came over, she jabbed him hard in the ribs and mouthed, “Behave.”
“Koko Riddle. I should have known we would meet in a broom closet,” Makaio said, his tone changing to something perhaps more amicable. “I see you met my wife,” he said grinning, wrapping his arm around her. “Dear, please meet my…former student,” he dropped the adjectives to obey his wife, “Koko Riddle. She is very handy with a broom.” And ‘not with a wand’ was left out.
“Oh! So you are into broom sports? That’s wonderful! Maki doesn’t really share much about teaching at Hogwarts. Probably an old habit from his former employer.” Leilani said, refusing to let her husband ruin this sweet little moment. Somehow, though, Makaio couldn’t help but feel her using her pet name for him was a way of revenge for the rocky start.
@Koko Riddle
PC: Dennis Tumberton | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
Koko would have to tell Howard about this later. Surely none of Hogwarts's recent graduates could boast that they'd met one of their broom sport idols, especially not outside of school! Leilani – Falcon – Ms Kekao – whatever she went by these days – was so sweet, and with each word she said, Koko couldn't even stop herself from positively beaming. This side of her was one that rarely came out, but she had been ready to introduce herself with glee before she'd noticed Professor Kāne – she'd be damned if she called him Makaio. That had, admittedly, put a small damper on her enthusiasm. Nothing against him particularly! Just... well, he'd seen her failing at magic left and right and swearing up a storm, the remembrance of which would hardly benefit this conversation.
He seemed even less pleased to see her – well, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't offended. 'Look who's swearing now,' she wanted to say petulantly, but instead, she just stared at him, hopefully a bit too pointedly for his comfort. Kidding him? You'd have to be fucking kidding her, telling her that a professor would be unhappy to see her in the wild!
Hearing Professor Kāne's voice again, this time being a bit more warm, Koko slowly, carefully, dropped her defensiveness. Not her surprise, though, especially at the revelation that The Falcon was Professor Kāne's wife! Her eyebrows lifted, and she wished she'd had a cup of tea behind which she could hide her intrigue. The two seemed like very different people, certainly not the type Koko would have imagined would marry.
Handy with a broom was accurate enough, she supposed, although Koko would have said she was more than handy. However, she was at least competent enough to recognise that bravado wasn't always the right approach. 'Yes, that's correct,' she affirmed. 'I'd no idea the two of you were married! I suppose it's a very small world, after all.'
As she returned her gaze to Leilani, her expression warmed – perhaps due to the passion she had for broom sports, but also perhaps due to the fact that Leilani had actually appeared somewhat happy to see her, and the two hadn't even met before! 'Yes! I've been playing Quidditch for nearly a decade now.' Not professionally, but surely it was the effort that mattered! 'And I've been interested in it for longer. There's just a feeling I get on a broom that I can't quite get elsewhere. Plus, of course, the thrill of the game. What was it for you?'
She could have kept going with how personable Leilani was, if only Professor Kāne were not right there. She glanced between the two, her expression a mixture of excitement and intrigue – although she was certain she and Leilani could have gone on for hours talking about brooms, there were two things in what Leilani had said that gave her pause.
First, she hadn't actually known much, if anything at all, about Professor Kāne's previous job. That initially piqued her interest, as she thought perhaps asking about it could shine some light on her interactions with her former professor. However, a moment later, when she registered the name 'Maki', Koko gave a close-lipped smile and lifted her eyebrows, but said nothing… for now. For someone who didn't seem to pride himself on being cutesy, it certainly was an adorable name, almost something humorous. Certainly not what she would have expected for the burly, hardened professor of Transfiguration!
@Makaio Kāne
He seemed even less pleased to see her – well, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't offended. 'Look who's swearing now,' she wanted to say petulantly, but instead, she just stared at him, hopefully a bit too pointedly for his comfort. Kidding him? You'd have to be fucking kidding her, telling her that a professor would be unhappy to see her in the wild!
Hearing Professor Kāne's voice again, this time being a bit more warm, Koko slowly, carefully, dropped her defensiveness. Not her surprise, though, especially at the revelation that The Falcon was Professor Kāne's wife! Her eyebrows lifted, and she wished she'd had a cup of tea behind which she could hide her intrigue. The two seemed like very different people, certainly not the type Koko would have imagined would marry.
Handy with a broom was accurate enough, she supposed, although Koko would have said she was more than handy. However, she was at least competent enough to recognise that bravado wasn't always the right approach. 'Yes, that's correct,' she affirmed. 'I'd no idea the two of you were married! I suppose it's a very small world, after all.'
As she returned her gaze to Leilani, her expression warmed – perhaps due to the passion she had for broom sports, but also perhaps due to the fact that Leilani had actually appeared somewhat happy to see her, and the two hadn't even met before! 'Yes! I've been playing Quidditch for nearly a decade now.' Not professionally, but surely it was the effort that mattered! 'And I've been interested in it for longer. There's just a feeling I get on a broom that I can't quite get elsewhere. Plus, of course, the thrill of the game. What was it for you?'
She could have kept going with how personable Leilani was, if only Professor Kāne were not right there. She glanced between the two, her expression a mixture of excitement and intrigue – although she was certain she and Leilani could have gone on for hours talking about brooms, there were two things in what Leilani had said that gave her pause.
First, she hadn't actually known much, if anything at all, about Professor Kāne's previous job. That initially piqued her interest, as she thought perhaps asking about it could shine some light on her interactions with her former professor. However, a moment later, when she registered the name 'Maki', Koko gave a close-lipped smile and lifted her eyebrows, but said nothing… for now. For someone who didn't seem to pride himself on being cutesy, it certainly was an adorable name, almost something humorous. Certainly not what she would have expected for the burly, hardened professor of Transfiguration!
@Makaio Kāne
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
Leilani adjusted her brown leather jack with red racing stripes from shoulder to sleeve. It seemed like these two didn’t have the most amicable relationship. That was to be expected. If she was a former student that meant she was basically graduated when he got to Hogwarts. Not very long to make a good impression and her husband had a way of intimidating people. She was pretty used to that by now. She moved on though when it seemed like the two came to some kind of unspoken understanding.
“Someone had to,” she jested patting Makaio’s arm and laughing. “But seriously it’s been safer with that being our little secret. Maki worked as an auror and a kind of…how would you explain it, dear?”
“Retrieval specialist,” he said now suddenly bored with this conversation. He didn’t like talking about himself and he truly didn’t like to talk about all the things he had to do for his former employer. “I’m going to have a look around,” he said softly to his wife, kissing her gently on her forehead. “It was good seeing you again, Koko,” he said a hand placed on her shoulder as he passed by her. He then continued his tour around the shop as if it was more interesting than standing there talking bout his work.
“Yes, that’s right. He’s very good at finding things and people. Bad guys, hostages, creatures in captivity. You name it, and he got it back. Never failed once I think,” Leilani continued giving a glowing review of her husband’s previous line of work.
“Oh, you are play quidditch!” She said happily, linking her arms with hers as they walked in the opposite direction her husband went. “What position? You must be very talented,” she added feeling her lean muscles, quite by accident of course. “Have you ever thought of racing?” She asked, giving Koko a once over as they stopped at some doodads. “You definitely have the fit for it too.”
“Someone had to,” she jested patting Makaio’s arm and laughing. “But seriously it’s been safer with that being our little secret. Maki worked as an auror and a kind of…how would you explain it, dear?”
“Retrieval specialist,” he said now suddenly bored with this conversation. He didn’t like talking about himself and he truly didn’t like to talk about all the things he had to do for his former employer. “I’m going to have a look around,” he said softly to his wife, kissing her gently on her forehead. “It was good seeing you again, Koko,” he said a hand placed on her shoulder as he passed by her. He then continued his tour around the shop as if it was more interesting than standing there talking bout his work.
“Yes, that’s right. He’s very good at finding things and people. Bad guys, hostages, creatures in captivity. You name it, and he got it back. Never failed once I think,” Leilani continued giving a glowing review of her husband’s previous line of work.
“Oh, you are play quidditch!” She said happily, linking her arms with hers as they walked in the opposite direction her husband went. “What position? You must be very talented,” she added feeling her lean muscles, quite by accident of course. “Have you ever thought of racing?” She asked, giving Koko a once over as they stopped at some doodads. “You definitely have the fit for it too.”
@Koko Riddle
PC: Dennis Tumberton | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
As they talked, Koko couldn't help but take note of Leilani's fashion. Her jacket was simply to die for. She almost wanted to ask the racer for fashion advice, but she refused to change the topic just yet. Although she had no idea what a 'retrieval specialist' was, if it had anything to do with receiving things, it had to be wonderful. Gifts were lovely, after all. Having to do hard, dangerous work as an auror for that privilege was a bit less lovely, but to each their own, Koko supposed.
However, before she could ask what sort of things he was lucky enough to receive, Professor Kāne excused himself from the conversation to have a look around. The pat on her shoulder surprised her – it was rare that anyone cared to make physical contact with her, even if it was just a handshake. But then he was gone, leaving Koko wondering what on earth a Transfiguration professor-auror-retrieval specialist was going to entertain himself with in a broom shop. Maybe he had a secret hobby. Hidden depths and all.
Leilani's explanation did shed a bit of light on the whole 'retrieval specialist' bit. 'Huh, interesting,' Koko mused, although finding bad guys and hostages sounded a lot less fun than finding, say, a diamond ring. 'Impressive.'
If she was honest, though, she wasn't surprised. That description of his line of work certainly made much more sense. He certainly seemed like the type to do dangerous work and do it well.
Koko was once again surprised when The Falcon linked arms with her. Holy shit, was she going to have an amazing story to tell her flatmates! She went along with the racer, doing a rather wonderful job (if she did say so herself) of not grinning like a giddy idiot. She forced herself to look at some broom polish instead of staring in awe at Leilani. 'Yes! I'm a Keeper for Cork's team, but I played for Slytherin during all seven years at Hogwarts.' She opened her mouth, about to say more, but she was abruptly stopped when Leilani seemed to appraise her build, giving her arm muscles a quick check. Any thoughts went out of her mind as she focused on Leilani, albeit offering a small glance to one of the shop's windows to try to catch her own reflection, needing to make sure she still looked fine. 'I, er, not exactly.' She stared at some broom compasses before adding, 'I did participate in a small race with some other alumni over the summer; it was quite fun...'
She trailed off yet again, her eyebrows lifting at the compliment. Usually, compliments came from people Koko had never idolised, and those compliments were easy to take in stride. But she couldn't just say, thanks, I know to The fucking Falcon, could she? She blinked and offered a small smile. 'Huh, thanks. I'm glad you think so.' She hadn't really thought about it, but it had been easier to dodge obstacles and move quickly with her smaller stature, but she still had enough strength to withstand a collision with an obstacle if it happened. 'If I weren't so into the push-and-pull of Quaffle game, I guess it might be more of an option. Although, I must say, I prefer my broom sports in the sky. Last time I raced I got absolutely drenched in a waterfall – not exactly my sort of thing.'
Koko picked up a little broom ornament – some shiny metal-and-rhinestone contraption – and surveyed it before setting it back where she'd gotten it. 'But you're a damn good racer. Honestly, if I were in a race with you, I'd withstand the waterfall just because it would be amazing. I mean, I'm sure I'd lose, but it'd be fun to try to win.' She shot Leilani a playful smirk. 'What brooms do you use?'
@Makaio Kāne
However, before she could ask what sort of things he was lucky enough to receive, Professor Kāne excused himself from the conversation to have a look around. The pat on her shoulder surprised her – it was rare that anyone cared to make physical contact with her, even if it was just a handshake. But then he was gone, leaving Koko wondering what on earth a Transfiguration professor-auror-retrieval specialist was going to entertain himself with in a broom shop. Maybe he had a secret hobby. Hidden depths and all.
Leilani's explanation did shed a bit of light on the whole 'retrieval specialist' bit. 'Huh, interesting,' Koko mused, although finding bad guys and hostages sounded a lot less fun than finding, say, a diamond ring. 'Impressive.'
If she was honest, though, she wasn't surprised. That description of his line of work certainly made much more sense. He certainly seemed like the type to do dangerous work and do it well.
Koko was once again surprised when The Falcon linked arms with her. Holy shit, was she going to have an amazing story to tell her flatmates! She went along with the racer, doing a rather wonderful job (if she did say so herself) of not grinning like a giddy idiot. She forced herself to look at some broom polish instead of staring in awe at Leilani. 'Yes! I'm a Keeper for Cork's team, but I played for Slytherin during all seven years at Hogwarts.' She opened her mouth, about to say more, but she was abruptly stopped when Leilani seemed to appraise her build, giving her arm muscles a quick check. Any thoughts went out of her mind as she focused on Leilani, albeit offering a small glance to one of the shop's windows to try to catch her own reflection, needing to make sure she still looked fine. 'I, er, not exactly.' She stared at some broom compasses before adding, 'I did participate in a small race with some other alumni over the summer; it was quite fun...'
She trailed off yet again, her eyebrows lifting at the compliment. Usually, compliments came from people Koko had never idolised, and those compliments were easy to take in stride. But she couldn't just say, thanks, I know to The fucking Falcon, could she? She blinked and offered a small smile. 'Huh, thanks. I'm glad you think so.' She hadn't really thought about it, but it had been easier to dodge obstacles and move quickly with her smaller stature, but she still had enough strength to withstand a collision with an obstacle if it happened. 'If I weren't so into the push-and-pull of Quaffle game, I guess it might be more of an option. Although, I must say, I prefer my broom sports in the sky. Last time I raced I got absolutely drenched in a waterfall – not exactly my sort of thing.'
Koko picked up a little broom ornament – some shiny metal-and-rhinestone contraption – and surveyed it before setting it back where she'd gotten it. 'But you're a damn good racer. Honestly, if I were in a race with you, I'd withstand the waterfall just because it would be amazing. I mean, I'm sure I'd lose, but it'd be fun to try to win.' She shot Leilani a playful smirk. 'What brooms do you use?'
@Makaio Kāne
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
Either Leilani didn’t pick up on Koko’s sarcasm when she said Makaio’s previous employment was interesting or she chose to ignore it, she didn’t really let on. She nodded eagerly and continued for a bit longer perhaps sharing more than Makaio wanted his former student to know. “Yes, well, it was only a matter of time until he got himself killed. People who do that kind of work don’t last as long as he has so his time was running out anyway. He’s just lucky his parents fed him well as a kid.” There came a loud cough from somewhere in the aisles in the distant. “I’m just glad he chose something tamer. What is Maki like as a professor?” Another cough, this time if Leilani wasn’t mistaken it was suitably embarrassed sounding. She gave a secretly wicked smile at her husbands discomfort.
“Oh!” Her attention quickly turned to the topic of quidditch as they walked around the shop, now not really looking at much of anything. “So you play professionally now?” She gave a bit of a pouty expression.
“She’s just trying to recruit you, Ms. Riddle. Don’t listen to her,” Makaio called from wherever it was he had disappeared to, obviously close enough to eavesdrop.
Leilani gave a dramatic eye roll at Makaio’s interruption. “Anyway, broom sports are so exhilarating!” She paused as Koko excitedly gushed about the potential of a race together. She smiled warmly at her new friend. Now they had found the aisle Makaio was lurking in, pretending to be busy with broom polish kit. Leilani pulled Koko quickly away from that aisle as they continued to wander around. “Well, I’m a coach now so I don’t do much racing now anymore. But I would definitely love to ride with you. We could set something up and see what you are made up.” She gave the young girl a wink as she ran her hand along a very expensive looking broom. “Well, I guess, you’ll just have to find out, huh?”
By this time Makaio was now bored at being in a store he had not the single clue what was what. He barely knew what was the business end of a broom let alone what all this tech was. “Have you had your fill yet?” He asked, though he was 40 he still had a bit of whine to his voice even as massive as he was, not fully fitting comfortably in any of the aisles. Leilani waved him away dismissively and the big man gave a grunt and looked at the ladies before shuffling off again.
“Oh!” Her attention quickly turned to the topic of quidditch as they walked around the shop, now not really looking at much of anything. “So you play professionally now?” She gave a bit of a pouty expression.
“She’s just trying to recruit you, Ms. Riddle. Don’t listen to her,” Makaio called from wherever it was he had disappeared to, obviously close enough to eavesdrop.
Leilani gave a dramatic eye roll at Makaio’s interruption. “Anyway, broom sports are so exhilarating!” She paused as Koko excitedly gushed about the potential of a race together. She smiled warmly at her new friend. Now they had found the aisle Makaio was lurking in, pretending to be busy with broom polish kit. Leilani pulled Koko quickly away from that aisle as they continued to wander around. “Well, I’m a coach now so I don’t do much racing now anymore. But I would definitely love to ride with you. We could set something up and see what you are made up.” She gave the young girl a wink as she ran her hand along a very expensive looking broom. “Well, I guess, you’ll just have to find out, huh?”
By this time Makaio was now bored at being in a store he had not the single clue what was what. He barely knew what was the business end of a broom let alone what all this tech was. “Have you had your fill yet?” He asked, though he was 40 he still had a bit of whine to his voice even as massive as he was, not fully fitting comfortably in any of the aisles. Leilani waved him away dismissively and the big man gave a grunt and looked at the ladies before shuffling off again.
@Koko Riddle
PC: Dennis Tumberton | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
That Professor Kāne had, apparently, nearly 'gotten himself killed' had Koko blanching. Her eyes widened, and she stared at Leilani in almost-disbelief. 'Killed!? Goodness. I suppose Hogwarts must have been a breath of relief.'
Her momentary horror faded away when Leilani poked fun at Professor Kāne once again. Parents fed him well? Surely – the man was huge. Koko remembered having been surprised by the helpful nature that lay underneath his gruff exterior. She smiled playfully as she tried to think of the hell that had been Year 7 Transfiguration. 'Certainly exacting. Although I wouldn't say that's a bad thing. He did figure out how to make me into a half-decent caster, after all. That takes skill!' Her smile turned sly as she recalled the experience. It certainly hadn't been fun to be chased about by an eagle, but she'd learned how to think on her feet, if nothing else. 'He did think the best method was to have an eagle attack me, but we can't all be perfect.'
She tried to keep her voice soft and jolly, meant just for Leilani, but if Professor Kāne heard it, too, well, she wouldn't exactly complain. It wasn't every day you got the chance to poke fun at a professor and have it be socially acceptable.
What Leilani hadn't taken into consideration was that asking a Quidditch player to talk about Quidditch ran the risk of them not shutting up. Luckily for her, Koko was compassionate and did not have quite the desire to talk her ear off. 'Yes! It's a blast.' A lie, but who else would know? From the shine in her amber eyes and the brazen smile on her lips, no one would be able to tell that she was hardly enamoured with her new job. The call from Professor Kāne had her chuckling good-naturedly – even if she didn't reply with words, he had managed to coax a slightly-crooked smile out of her, something that wasn't all too common for the young woman who kept an iron-clad grip on her appearance.
She cast a glance at Professor Kāne, who seemed to be fiddling with a tin of broom polish. 'Do let us know if you need help with that!' she called towards him, still smiling. Whether or not he replied, she wouldn't dwell on it, instead gladly letting Leilani pull her to the next aisle. Browsing broom shops was always quite the fun time, but doing it alongside someone she'd idolised was just something else.
Koko hummed in thought, tilting her head as she considered what a coaching job might entail. 'Well, yes. But I'm sure you've still got it.' She would change tactics as Leilani appeared to be receptive to the idea of flying together, even if it wasn't a race. 'Still, that sounds lovely! I've heard the coast is beautiful to fly over, especially at sunset.'
That Leilani didn't spill the beans on the best broom to fly had Koko smirking. She chuckled and glanced down at the broom Leilani was touching. It looked gorgeous – not quite like the special antiquity of her beloved Oakshaft, but more like a sturdy, new flying machine. Another broom caught her eye, and she had to stop herself from gasping like a stupid fangirl. It was huge – probably meant for someone taller than her, at any rate – but had a frame that promised glorious aerodynamics. She stared at it in awe for a moment before Professor Kāne's voice distracted her.
'Hm?' Then, what he said registered with her, and she laughed. 'Never,' she announced, moving to follow Leilani to the next spot. Honestly, Koko didn't think she would find herself satisfied until she'd bought out all the brooms in a store's supply. It wasn't selfish – just opportunistic, that was all!
She flipped a heavy broom compass between her fingers before Leilani had her attention once again. 'So, as a coach, I'm sure you've met plenty of neat figures. Who's your favourite?'
@Makaio Kāne
Her momentary horror faded away when Leilani poked fun at Professor Kāne once again. Parents fed him well? Surely – the man was huge. Koko remembered having been surprised by the helpful nature that lay underneath his gruff exterior. She smiled playfully as she tried to think of the hell that had been Year 7 Transfiguration. 'Certainly exacting. Although I wouldn't say that's a bad thing. He did figure out how to make me into a half-decent caster, after all. That takes skill!' Her smile turned sly as she recalled the experience. It certainly hadn't been fun to be chased about by an eagle, but she'd learned how to think on her feet, if nothing else. 'He did think the best method was to have an eagle attack me, but we can't all be perfect.'
She tried to keep her voice soft and jolly, meant just for Leilani, but if Professor Kāne heard it, too, well, she wouldn't exactly complain. It wasn't every day you got the chance to poke fun at a professor and have it be socially acceptable.
What Leilani hadn't taken into consideration was that asking a Quidditch player to talk about Quidditch ran the risk of them not shutting up. Luckily for her, Koko was compassionate and did not have quite the desire to talk her ear off. 'Yes! It's a blast.' A lie, but who else would know? From the shine in her amber eyes and the brazen smile on her lips, no one would be able to tell that she was hardly enamoured with her new job. The call from Professor Kāne had her chuckling good-naturedly – even if she didn't reply with words, he had managed to coax a slightly-crooked smile out of her, something that wasn't all too common for the young woman who kept an iron-clad grip on her appearance.
She cast a glance at Professor Kāne, who seemed to be fiddling with a tin of broom polish. 'Do let us know if you need help with that!' she called towards him, still smiling. Whether or not he replied, she wouldn't dwell on it, instead gladly letting Leilani pull her to the next aisle. Browsing broom shops was always quite the fun time, but doing it alongside someone she'd idolised was just something else.
Koko hummed in thought, tilting her head as she considered what a coaching job might entail. 'Well, yes. But I'm sure you've still got it.' She would change tactics as Leilani appeared to be receptive to the idea of flying together, even if it wasn't a race. 'Still, that sounds lovely! I've heard the coast is beautiful to fly over, especially at sunset.'
That Leilani didn't spill the beans on the best broom to fly had Koko smirking. She chuckled and glanced down at the broom Leilani was touching. It looked gorgeous – not quite like the special antiquity of her beloved Oakshaft, but more like a sturdy, new flying machine. Another broom caught her eye, and she had to stop herself from gasping like a stupid fangirl. It was huge – probably meant for someone taller than her, at any rate – but had a frame that promised glorious aerodynamics. She stared at it in awe for a moment before Professor Kāne's voice distracted her.
'Hm?' Then, what he said registered with her, and she laughed. 'Never,' she announced, moving to follow Leilani to the next spot. Honestly, Koko didn't think she would find herself satisfied until she'd bought out all the brooms in a store's supply. It wasn't selfish – just opportunistic, that was all!
She flipped a heavy broom compass between her fingers before Leilani had her attention once again. 'So, as a coach, I'm sure you've met plenty of neat figures. Who's your favourite?'
@Makaio Kāne
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
It felt as though Leilani found a kindred spirit in the young Koko. The blond seemed capable of matching her beat for beat. She especially seemed well versed at giving Makaio a hard time whic was also one of her favorite pastimes too. Talk with Koko was easy for the Islander and she was grateful for her company.
Her eyebrows raised at the mention of an eagle though, that was definitely a story she hadn't heard before. "You simply have to join us for lunch so that you can share that story!" ANything to inconvenience the impatient professor.
Leilani gave a light sing son laugh at Koko teasing her husband about the polish and for a brief moment she felt young again herself. She missed this kind of interaction greatly since her transition to coach and being responsible for more than just herself. The freedom to just wander around freely was a commodity in short supply for the older woman.
They spent a long moment killing as much time as they could to frustrate the big oaf that continued to pretend to be distracted just an aisle away no matter where they chose to roam. The Koko returned to the subject of sports. A sharp mind that one! "I have met so many wonderful and fascinating people! But honestly the fresh talent is where the excitement is. We have a new racer. Her name is Mika. Definitely one to watch for! I can introduce you sometime. I think you two might have a lot in common." Makaio snorted at that. What a diplomatic answer and a segue into talking about the protege she dragged with her from Southeast asia.
Her eyebrows raised at the mention of an eagle though, that was definitely a story she hadn't heard before. "You simply have to join us for lunch so that you can share that story!" ANything to inconvenience the impatient professor.
Leilani gave a light sing son laugh at Koko teasing her husband about the polish and for a brief moment she felt young again herself. She missed this kind of interaction greatly since her transition to coach and being responsible for more than just herself. The freedom to just wander around freely was a commodity in short supply for the older woman.
They spent a long moment killing as much time as they could to frustrate the big oaf that continued to pretend to be distracted just an aisle away no matter where they chose to roam. The Koko returned to the subject of sports. A sharp mind that one! "I have met so many wonderful and fascinating people! But honestly the fresh talent is where the excitement is. We have a new racer. Her name is Mika. Definitely one to watch for! I can introduce you sometime. I think you two might have a lot in common." Makaio snorted at that. What a diplomatic answer and a segue into talking about the protege she dragged with her from Southeast asia.
@Koko Riddle
PC: Dennis Tumberton | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
In All the Shops, In All the Towns, In All the World
Koko was beginning to think this was the best she had felt in quite some time. The interaction with Leilani made her feel more seen than was usual in her everyday life. When she gushed about expensive brooms to her teammates, she was materialistic – most people had one or two, after all, not five and counting. When she joked, she was rude, so she didn't joke, so she wasn't funny. But here, she was conversational, kind, fun... and, most importantly, happy.
'Lunch?' she echoed, eyebrows lifting. Surely they had better things to do! But any hesitation left her as her mind was given to other ideas – new blood, new racers. She could only imagine the talent that existed across the world. Intrigued, she kept her eyes on Leilani even as her fingers found the leather binding of an old Quidditch playbook that had to have some interesting ideas in it.
Once Leilani had finished talking, Koko hesitated before offering a response. On one hand, the idea of continuing in contact with the talented racer sounded simply scintillating. But on the other hand, she knew what it was like to try to stay in contact with people. Sometimes, communication just fell off. The logistics weren't always sound.
But that didn't matter right now – after all, they were present here and now, and that was the important thing. 'Fresh talent, yeah. That's definitely the thing with Quidditch – the Beaters especially. You should see the muscles on some of these people.' She smirked, chuckled, set the playbook aside with hardly a further glance. 'I'd certainly be interested in meeting someone who's got that sort of talent in racing.' She paused, then added, 'And "a lot in common"? Now I'm curious.'
Truth be told, she had nearly forgotten about Professor Kāne's presence until she rounded a corner and noticed him in the aisle next to Koko and Leilani. Koko had to admit, there was something truly entertaining about seeing someone so truly out of their comfort zone, especially when they were quite formidable when they were at ease.
@Makaio Kāne
'Lunch?' she echoed, eyebrows lifting. Surely they had better things to do! But any hesitation left her as her mind was given to other ideas – new blood, new racers. She could only imagine the talent that existed across the world. Intrigued, she kept her eyes on Leilani even as her fingers found the leather binding of an old Quidditch playbook that had to have some interesting ideas in it.
Once Leilani had finished talking, Koko hesitated before offering a response. On one hand, the idea of continuing in contact with the talented racer sounded simply scintillating. But on the other hand, she knew what it was like to try to stay in contact with people. Sometimes, communication just fell off. The logistics weren't always sound.
But that didn't matter right now – after all, they were present here and now, and that was the important thing. 'Fresh talent, yeah. That's definitely the thing with Quidditch – the Beaters especially. You should see the muscles on some of these people.' She smirked, chuckled, set the playbook aside with hardly a further glance. 'I'd certainly be interested in meeting someone who's got that sort of talent in racing.' She paused, then added, 'And "a lot in common"? Now I'm curious.'
Truth be told, she had nearly forgotten about Professor Kāne's presence until she rounded a corner and noticed him in the aisle next to Koko and Leilani. Koko had to admit, there was something truly entertaining about seeing someone so truly out of their comfort zone, especially when they were quite formidable when they were at ease.
@Makaio Kāne
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]