3 Apr 2023, 06:38
Resolute and Undismayed
“It is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed.” – George VI
Spring Break 2023 [April 2 - April 16]
It was the day of Simon.
Once picked up from Kings Cross Station and within her sight, Aunt Maggie wasn't going to let him out of it until she went to sleep that night.
"My Squishy Simon doesn't seem so squishy," she said as she continued to squeeze him tightly. He had gotten off the train about three minutes ago but she wasn't letting him go. "Hmm, suppose turning 14 will do that to you," Simon replied, "guess you'll have to call me Strapping Simon." She pulled back at that to give him a skeptical look. "Or perhaps Stark raving mad Simon?" she suggested and shook her head in disbelief. He just shrugged.
"No trunk, just that bag?" she seemed rather surprised. After all, he was going to be home for two weeks.
"I've got everything I need," he said as he hiked the strap of his enchanted satchel a little higher on his shoulder and smiled to her widely. While she didn't quite understand, she knew it had something to do with that crazy magical world of his and just shook her head.
They took the Piccadilly line of the London Underground from London Kings Cross Station to South Kensington Station and he caught her up on some of the details about school that he could state in the presence of muggles on that fifteen minute journey. Most of it was about the girlfriend, AngelFyre McCubbin, but some was about his friends, projects, the upcoming Spring Dance. He left big details for later because, well, he wasn't about to reveal the wizarding world to all of London (or whoever would be traveling in the same subway car).
They stopped next at Prescotts which was owned by none other than Mark Prescott, Aunt Maggie's boyfriend. He continued his father's wishes of keeping the family business alive by opening a restaurant in South Kensington that also offered catering which is how he met Aunt Maggie - desperately needing someone to replace his pastry chef when his called off sick for an event. It wasn't his passion, as he had found that in photography and hoped to someday become a professional photographer, but he could make one of the best steaks in London and steak was Simon's favorite meal.
They walked along the streets of his home of South Kensington. It was good to be back and while Hogwarts was a home away from home, this too was home. It was now that Rascal, who rode in a little pocket created just for him on the outside of Simon's enchanted satchel began to wake. Simon noticed him pop his little gray head out of the pouch, blinking from the light and sniffing the air. "Someone's going to want one of your homemade treats," Simon told Aunt Maggie. She grinned and unzipped her bag. "He's in luck!" and she found one, passing it over. The rat squeaked in delight, both at the sight of Aunt Maggie and the special Aunt Maggie made treat. Simon shook his head. "This is why he likes you best." The rat took the biscuit and retreated back into his pocket with a soft thankful sort of squeak.
From there, they went to one of his favorite places in all of London and beyond: his church, Westminster Cathedral. Upon entering, it immediately felt like home and he dashed off to first see The Sanctuary where they held Mass, then to The Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the statue of Our Lady of Westminster in The Lady Chapel, and then a quick stop in The North Aisle Chapels. He would take a brief moment to pause, close his eyes, and reminisce with the space before leaving them all to venture to the Church's Office in search of Mrs. Briggs that was the Secretary and Father Colven, the Head Priest. Both were there and were as happy to speak with him as he was to them. There were several other parishioners to reunite with.
Sadly though, no one from his group of muggle friends were there despite being active members of the Church. He knew they all still widely participated in the Youth Group, Children's Choir, and assisted with a multitude of the volunteer projects that the Church hosted. Simon checked in all the classrooms of the Youth Center as well as in the Gardens, but no one was to be found. It was slightly disappointing, but he knew that his friends had lives too and hoped to connect with that at some point during his two weeks home.
Hours and hours passed since he had arrived back and the two arrived back at their brick townhome with the mint green door. "OH, LOOK AT THAT, I MUST HAVE LEFT THE LIGHTS ON....." Simon heard his Aunt Maggie proclaim loudly, as if she was shouting to someone in the other room. Her words were oddly choppy though and he looked at her curiously. "But no matter..." she muttered, placing her keys away and putting her purse on the small table within the foyer "WE ARE HOME NOW....Are you thirsty? I'm thirsty," she turned to him and smiled as she clapped her hands together. "Let us go get a drink in the kitchen since we're both thirsty." Simon watched her curiously. He hadn't said he was thirsty...... Aunt Maggie took his satchel from him and placed it next to her purse before leading him to the kitchen.
Still, he followed her and it was just as he entered through the doorframe, a large group of people shouted SURPRISE! with a few to follow from those with slower reflexes. Party blowers were blown, balloons tossed in his direction, and confetti. Gabe Evans was there, Oliver Harris, Henry Stewart, Olivia Dalton, Lily Halifax, Charlotte Fletcher, Alexis Carmichael, Mia Anderson, and so many more. Aunt Maggie's boyfriend was there with a cake and was starting to light candles as everyone sang Happy Birthday to him.
"I say, old chap, it seems you are another year older! Have a most spiffing Birthday, old bean. We shall celebrate with this cake, some jam, scones, crumpets, and lashings of ginger beer. Pip pip and cheerio, my good man!" Henry shouted out and some paused to look at the boy. "What, Simon's been out of England for awhile and I thought I'd welcome him home in the most British way possible." A few balloons were tossed Henry's way and Simon made his wish and blew out the candles. "Happy Birthday, Babe," Mia Anderson said with a bright smile as she came to his side.
Several of his friends stayed. They talked, reminisced, sang songs, listened to music, shared stories, and played games. The party lasted long after the streetlights of the London streets came on and eventually it was time for everyone to head home, some staying a little longer than others to help tidy up the house.
Simon thanked each and every one of his friends for coming and planned on seeing them again while he was home on break.
With all guests gone, it was time to approach Aunt Maggie with something important.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
3 Apr 2023, 13:59
Resolute and Undismayed
Requests ventured and family gained
A couple of chairs had been brought from the kitchen to the living room area for socializing an game playing and he saw as Aunt Maggie went to get one of them to put back. He went and grabbed the other two and followed her. "First, I want to thank you for the surprise Birthday party," he said and once the chairs were back in place at the table, he gave his aunt a hug. "It means so much. I love so many at Hogwarts but I also miss the muggle crew and tonight felt like regular times with them." He hoped he could somehow keep in touch with all of them as the years went by.
"There is something I was wanting to discuss with you. I'm not quite certain now is the best time but I'm thinking there probably isn't a right time...." he paused. He watched as Aunt Maggie watched him, knowing he had her attention. She was attentive, but didn't look worried. It was as if she knew that in the grand scheme of life, Simon wouldn't do anything that was too completely huge or rather, maybe having a nephew that had already shown himself to be of not only of magic, but also half-vampire, that nothing phased her too much. She always had been pretty laid back and that's where he got it from. Hopefully she'd be so accepting with this new endeavor of his.
"I'd like to take a trip this Spring Break - like, very, very, very, very much. I can't stress how important this is to me; but so much that it feels more of a need than a want," and he watched her, knowing he was about to ask too much. "I want to visit my father where he lives. He has invited me."
With the mention of Adrian Hawthorne, Aunt Maggie's eyes just seemed to stab right through him, whether it was for concern or hatred, or most likely both. If she had it her way, he'd have absolutely nothing to do with that man. She cleared her throat before speaking softly. "It's quite soon, don't you think, Simon?"
She wasn't on board.
"It's not soon," he quickly protested. "It's been more than fourteen years. Please, Aunt Maggie, I just want to get to know him."
He watched with her, knowing his own eyes were pleading with her and she just continued to stare at him before something caught her attention beyond him and Simon glanced over his shoulder to see Mark there, bringing some empty soda bottles in for the rubbish bin.
"I understand what it's like to not have either parent and to so desperately want that bond. I lost mine at fourteen, remember? But your father? That....man, if I even can call him as such, he's - he's evil. There's something about him. He tried to ruin your mother's life and in some ways he did. I wont let him ruin yours."
Mark came in, whether to place the bottles away or to be reinforcement for his aunt. Once upon a time he had no parental figures and now he had a maturing aunt, her boyfriend, AngelFyre's parents and grandmother, and then his own father found. It was as if everywhere he turned to there was someone he could go for advice, but could they possibly see this in a way that he did? Aunt Maggie was so close, or so he hoped.
"I've written to him, somewhat often. You can write to him and ask him any questions that you'd like to gain comfort." She was looking at him like he was crazy. "What's his phone number?" she said and then paused, "...does he even have a phone?" and she glanced over to Mark. Simon was pretty sure she wanted to say more than she could but with Mark there, she couldn't talk about the magical world or vampires. Mark was watching though and seemed curious enough, like maybe he already had ideas of some kind stirring in his mind maybe from previous conversations they had, even if she hadn't said too much. Luckily, it didn't seem that Mark Prescott thought his girlfriend was absolutely bonkers and that was a good thing.
"I'm sure he does. Who doesn't have a phone?" Simon smiled softly, realizing she was at least somewhat open to the idea or she wouldn't have asked. "I'll write to him and I'll ask for it. You can call him and talk to him before hand and then if you should allow me to go, It'll be a short visit and I'll have my phone with me at all times and....."
His voice trailed off because he was upsetting her. There was fine line here between pressing for what you so desperately wanted and upsetting someone you love.
She shook her head. "You wouldn't be going alone!" she snapped quickly and then looked to Mark. "I'm going for a walk and to check on David Beckham," she said as she slipped past them, grabbed a jacket from the coat-rack in the foyer, and then went out the door into the darkened London streets.
Simon looked at Mark.
Mark looked at Simon.
Both shrugged. Women.
"Good! Right then. Fresh Air is good for the soul and I have something I wanted to talk to you about," Mark told him and motioned for him to follow him to the living room. Mark sat down on the sofa and then gave a pat to the space before him before sitting more comfortably. He seemed casual, not someone who was about to deliver bad news and Simon came and sat down next to him.
" -- Who's David Beckham? I'm assuming she doesn't mean the former professional footballer....."
The answer to that question wouldn't be given as Mark went into his....less-than-prepared, or at least never perfected, speech.
"I've been dating your aunt for awhile...." and he seemed to be getting nervous so Simon tried to lighten the situation, pretty certain he knew where this was going.
"Getting sick of her finally?"
"Never."
"And you see.....I'm hoping we'll be together for quite some time, her and I. Well, and you. I mean, you're all part of this too, of course. Which is why I wanted to approach you about that 'quite-some-time more.'"
"You're going to babble even worse for her during your proposal, aren't you?" Simon smiled to him, poking fun in a good natured sort of way.
"If you give your blessing for me to do so," Mark smiled widely to him.
"Absolutely!" Simon assured him and he knew Mark could deliver his proposal any way he wanted and Aunt Maggie was going to say yes. She quite liked him and Simon agreed.
"There's uhh....there's something I wanted to talk to you about," Simon now stated. He was going to be family, after all, and there were things that he was going to need to know if he wanted to truly be there for Aunt Maggie, to catch up on and know the whole story, and to hopefully; help convince her to let a son visit his father.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)