Locked ADULTS?! | Sweethearts Tea Party Event

Interacting with @Kit Paine
Mentioning @Kelsey Brumby, @Nigel Read & @Tuesday Jeremiah Irons

Maya looked at each of her neighbors at the table: Kit and Kelsey. There seemed to be some kind of connection between the two. Was it an attraction? There seemed to be so many of the professors connecting with each other left to right. Something she was unable to do. She had a connection with an old Potions Professor long ago, who left to Hamberg, and that was it. Marcus was not interested in her and no one else was interesting to her. It kind of left her a bit off during this evening but she wanted to join to still connect with her colleagues that are, in a way, her family. She's here day after day, and sees them more than she sees her own family.

Maya stood up from her chair, wanting to see how all the kids were running around after some were given roses. She was so curious as to what children went with who. In a classroom, you can see the chemistry of children, but who were brave to actually let that chemistry become known if hidden? It looked like a whole lot of fun; teenage romance. She remembered having a couple in her young age. Never did they end great, but they were fun while they lasted.

It was then that there was a time to confess. Maya looked at the stage and looked back down at her table. There was so much that she could confess, but now was not the time. One day, she felt that she will open up to someone, but not in this way. She just hadn't found the right person for either a relationship or a strong friendship. Maybe, though, she would have those things if she was open now. An epiphany it seems rang through her mind. How else could people get close to her?

Tuesday and Nigel had both arrived late to their table. She looked at them both but did not have a chance to say anything. Both of them were very talkative in their own right and came in already announcing their lateness and asking what was already happening.

Maya sat back down and looked at both Kit and Kelsey. She obviously did not think that Kit would be someone she would be close with, but practicing opening up to others makes perfect. She looked back at Kit and took a deep breath. "Red isn't my favorite color, but this cloak reminds me of a man who took me in and fed me knowledge when no one else would. It reminds me of not only being blessed with learning culture, but to always remember that I was once a muggle," she said softly, assuming that Kelsey can also hear her as he was sitting closely next to her on the other side. She gave a small smile as if to apologize for her behavior before.

There, I shared. It was information that not anyone really knew. In a way though, it felt good. It was one less thing off of her shoulders. It doesn't mean she will continue so easily, but she was glad that it eased something off her shoulders.

February 14th, 2022

Interacting with: @Tuesday Jeremiah Irons

Valentine’s Day had struck Hogwarts and Miriam was surprised to see how much the school celebrated the holiday. It was as if the world depended on how many decorations there were and if there wasn’t enough then everyone’s dates would fall apart. Speaking of dates, Miriam noticed how students of all years happened to have dates for today and we’re trying to play up to the stereotypes of Valentine’s Day. To be frankly honest, Miriam didn’t care too much about the holiday, she had no significant other to spend it with and wasn’t a huge fan of fake gestures. However, she did value her relationships with other staff and when a tea party invite came, Miriam felt like she just had to attend.

Walking into ballroom, Miriam was greeted with the sight of so many roses in the colors of pink, red, and white. They made for some nice decorations and looking around the room, Miriam realized that she was late...again. It was becoming somewhat of a habit for her, to show up late to any non-lesson related activity. This time she hadn’t slept in but more so forgot what time the invite had said and didn't feel the need to recheck it.

Arriving at the adult table, Miriam looked around for a moment before she realized that there were name placements on each of the seats. Finding her seat between 2 empty ones, she nodded once and pulled the seat out so that she could sit in it. Not giving any form of greeting to her colleagues, Miriam hoped to sneak in unnoticed by the group. If they didn’t see her arrive late then they wouldn’t think badly on her time management, right?

Spotting a box of cupcakes with a note attached to them, Miriam eyed them skeptically before deciding to give in and open the letter.

Dear Miriam,

Your beauty can only be compared to the dazzling hues the Autumn months provide us with. A rare display of nature's talent. A palette of yellow, orange, and deep red tones, yet my heart remains blue without you beside me. Will you be my valentine and make me the happiest professor at Hogwarts?

Yours,
Tuesday Irons

Letting out a soft laugh at that statement, Miriam rolled her eyes before turning to her left to confront the apparently lovesick Professor Irons. “Aye Tuesday, what’s with this letter you wrote me.” She started at a volume loud enough that the whole table could hear. “I know that we like work in the same building together but I don’t think you know me enough to call me a-” Stealing a glance back down at the paper to collect the right words, Miriam continued. “-a rare display of natural talent.” she said while using her hands to add air quotes around the statement. Scoffing at her own thoughts, Miriam quickly added another piece just to make sure that there was no confusion. “Sorry but I will defffinitely not be your valentine. The cupcakes, however, I will be taking.”

Outfit: This for his top, black slacks, and black loafers.

Kels' display of Fromage with her pink ribbon earned an, "Aww, she's adorable," from the caretaker as he admired the little amphibean. "I like how she's dressed for the occasion." As her owner thanked Kit for the massage, Kit glanced down at his hands as though finally realizing what he was doing before replying, "Of course! You seemed like you needed it."

When Tuesday came around, apologizing for being late and asking if he hadn't missed anything too crazy, Kit chuckled softly before responding to his fellow American. "That depends on what you consider 'too crazy'," he replied with amusement. "The students have started to get a little...rambunctious, but I think you're just in time for the fun that Rion has planned."

Regarding the man he had just spoken of, Kit felt sorry for him. He was clearly exhausted and yet obviously trying to make the event as grand and showy as possible even still. "The pleasure is all ours, Rion," Kit answered smoothly when he addressed their table, beaming as he continued to massage Kelsey's back and shoulders. "Though perhaps you should take it easy...? Have some tea. Maybe a cupcake." What he really needed was obviously sleep, but it was clear the man wasn't planning to get any rest until he was certain his event had been a success.

Kit hadn't meant to read over Kelsey's shoulder, but the letter was practically in front of his face and curiosity got the better of him. As soon as he'd read it, though, he noticed the reddening of Kels' complextion and watched him put the letter back on the table. Whoops; that was probably not something meant for his eyes. Still, he couldn't help leaning in with a teasing, "Ooh, someone's popular."

He quickly straightened back up, however, as a new latecomer arrived. This time it was Nigel, another fellow American. Kit cast him a grin and a casual, two-fingered salute when he apologized for arriving late. "The party's just getting started," the caretaker assured the Astronomy Professor.

As he spoke, Kit noticed Maya stand up to evidently watch the students that were given roses due to Orion's arrangements. He smiled at her attentiveness, surprised she was so interested in the childrens' choices. When she sat back down, he noticed her look back at him and Kelsey until, to his utter surprise, she took a breath and began to talk about her cloak.

The caretaker listened raptly, drinking in each word as if he sensed the storyteller was not giving up her story lightly. Kit knew how difficult it could be for some people to open up; how difficult it could be to make oneself vulnerable to the world. He wasn't about to squander this opportunity to learn more about someone who was taking the time to share something intimate and personal about herself. People of all kinds intruiged him, but he knew better than to take it for granted when one as private as Maya allowed someone else to know something about them.

"Those are some really good reasons to keep it close," Kit commented when Maya was finished. "Thank you for telling us. Do you mind me asking if you're muggle-born?" He supposed he could have presumed she was considering her subject in teaching, but he wanted to be sure by hearing it from her mouth. She may have stated she used to be a muggle, but just because someone was raised as a muggle didn't necessarily mean both their parents were muggles as well.

He paused when another voice spoke up - Miriam - to ask Tuesday about a letter that he had supposedly written her. He couldn't help snorting at her words and glanced away to hide it when she proclaimed she would not, in fact, be Tuseday's valentine. There was someone who wasn't afraid to speak her mind.

Orion always had a way of making Tuesday chuckle to himself. Then, of course, the man would overwork himself to the bone for a silly valentines day tea party. If Tuesday didn't know any better, he would think his best friend was a terrible sucker for love and a glutton for punishment. "Rion, you good, bud? You're lookin' like you're gonna drop any second now." A look of concern crossed the man's face as his brow furrowed. Tuesday was the keen sort, and it was pretty apparent that his best friend was starting to lose his mind.

After his question was directed at Orion, Kelsey quickly drew the Herbology professor's attention away as they retrieved a certain little froggy for which Tuesday has tremendous respect for based on previous encounters. "Oh howdy there, Miss Fromage, and Mr. Brumby, as well!" With a nod to express his welcome to the newfound plant pals. He could tell that Kelsey wasn't exactly pulling out Fromage for him, but he couldn't help but speak out, "How is your lil' personal project goin', Kelsey? Discovered anything amaizin' yet?" Tuesday reminisced back on the not-so-distant past when the Nurse had stumbled on into his conservatory. It made the American happy to know that at least one of the other staff members had a green thumb, such as himself.

He was bringing his fingers up to his bearded chin before glancing down at the single letter that sat next to his name card. Huh, honestly, he was surprised to see that he got a letter, considering he hadn't made an effort at all during this holiday. A particular bromantic gift of a cupcake placed adjacently to the note, which was supposed to go together with the message, Mr. Irons gathered. Before opening it, the man reached out and snatched the letter from the table with some trepidation.

My Dear Mardi,

Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me for so many years. The chocolates do not hurt either. I am certainly a lucky wizard.

Here's to many more years of friendship.

Love,
Orion.

Aw, how sweet. The middle-aged man could feel a smile growing on his face before he glanced up again at Orion. He was just moments from mentioning something of it to his dearest friend, who would never commit identity theft or write fraudulent messages on his behalf. But no words to Orion would come, as his train of thought would be quickly derailed and thrown off the side of the nearest and tallest cliff. A professor he had only interacted with in a purely professional setting spoke up, Miss Miriam Stube. It was rather lucky for everyone at the table that Tuesday hadn't decided to drink from the tea when Professor Stube spoke up because indeed, he would have had the most significant and messiest spit take that Hogwarts had ever seen. "Wha- 'scuse me? What in tha world are you talkin' about? I never wrote any letter-" His usually chill and melodic southern American accent was more like a scratching record with perfect comedic timing. Why in the sam hell would he write anybody a love letter? Why in the sam hell would he write a love letter and sign his name at the end. ALSO, 'a rare display of natural talent', gag him with a spoon. The man's expression was one of a deer caught in headlights. How in the world would he ever live this down? AND DID SHE HAVE TO SAY THAT SO LOUDLY? He didn't even write the letter!

Interaction with @Orion Lécuyer, @Kelsey Brumby (and @Fromage), and @Miriam Stube
Continued Openness for interaction