Now There's an Idea

Playbill: Greer Blackthorn, Audrey Miller, Seth Darkon

Summary: Audrey and Greer meet-up to discuss crashing Victoria Avery's Valentines Day Masquerade, and Seth arrives to lend appeal to the notion of creating distraction. --------------------------------- Pumpkin Dust: There was a disgruntled middle-aged man in a cloth diaper singing at her, rather impressively I might add - and it was way too early for this sort of thing. Audrey knit her brow at the man as his performance escalated, and the rubber tip of his cupid's arrow bounced off her chest and onto the ground. She passed a hand over her pale face, then smoothed her mussed hair out of her eyes. "Thank you, for that," she offered sheepishly, accepting the man's proffered gift basket and struggling back into her flat with it (her arms full). She kicked the door shut with her foot and set the basket down on a relatively-clear end table... then busied herself with the envelope, wondering who she'd have to murder (suspecting Seth), and finding the scrawl of her name to appear familiar. The valentine itself made her snort. She folded a hand over lips, smirking into it. "Damnit, Seamus..." --

She checked the time. "Oh!" She was running behind. Audrey had owled Greer the night prior, asking that her friend meet up with her at Madame Puddifoot's for a no-males-allowed tea and breakfast.

magic: The tea shop was as inviting as ever, and Greer was already seated comfortably at a table that had been ruthlessly commandeered near the window. As in, left foot was residing on the free chair that a middle aged woman had been eyeing, while the brunette continued to thumb through the tattered pages of a poetry book. There was an awkward clearing of throat, which did spark a glance upwards to the expectant heavily powdered face only for an apologetic smile to be presented. "Sorry, the seat is taken," which was the excuse that had been drawled out for the tenth time in the last hour. Greer was always early, whereas Audrey was typically late. Put them together, and they were always on time? – The woman waddled off in a huff, and a sip of tea was taken as gaze returned to the elegant script of book. It was terribly muggle in origin, but no less magical to her heart. A haunting, sort of romanticism, that seemed to suit the snowy scene outdoors. A little tug was given to the scarf that coiled around neck, loosening it from throat as the warmth of the parlor was settling into bones. [d] Pumpkin Dust: "I'm so sorry!" Audrey had found her way into the little tea shop in a frazzled state, sliding into the empty seat opposite Greer. "Everything's just got away from me this morning. I had this awful Valentine sing-o-gram, or whatever it is you call it, and then I had to deliver a letter to Mr. Ollivander from Professor Gallowes. I was supposed to have taken it yesterday, and I'd completely forgotten! And you can't even imagine the run-in I had with this.. horrendous... person." Audrey huffed, removing her gloves and tucking them into the pockets of her navy overcoat. She uncoiled her scarf from around her neck and shrugged out of the coat as well, taking a few moments to drape them over the back of her chair. "Actually, the Valentine was quite funny," she confessed, looking back to Greer with a haphazard smile. "So. How are you this morning?" magic: Oh those three pretty words were tugging eyebrow high upon forehead, attention redirected to the lioness who slipped into the chair that had been saved as boot fell unceremoniously to the floor. A large teapot sat on the table between them, a clean teacup upside down a saucer in front of Audrey's placement. "A sing-o-gram? Really? That's awful," grinning practically ear from ear, as the book was closed and set aside. Arms crossing on the table as Greer leaned forward to hear more about the day's events so far. "Did Gallowes get my Valentine? I sent him my sexist pair," joking of course, as her infatuation with the elder man would remain safely at a distance and not acted upon. "I'm doing great. Brought you some of my mom's fudge," a tip of head was given to the small tin that lurked beside Audrey's plate. – "Bit boring today. I think a few of the other patrons were going to murder me if someone didn't show up soon for this chair. Who knew Valentine's Day was so popular for tea?" giving a glance at the other tables that were mostly occupied by couples. A shake of dark head before latching onto the prior statement, "Who was this horrendous person? Do they know you have your own werewolf?" The last part was only partially whispered, so not to alarm those seated too closely by. It was good that Greer could make a joke, given the difficult times it imposed upon her. [d] Pumpkin Dust: Audrey rolled her eyes at Greer's taunting about the Professor. "He's like my Dad, or something, Greer. That's horrifying," she laughed. Audrey's eyes brightened at the mention of the fudge. "Yes! I freaking love your mother's fudge." As she grabbed at the tin to peek inside it, the awkwardness of what she'd just said caught up to her.. and Audrey grinned over at Greer. "Such lovely, lovely fudge your mother makes." She replaced the lid of the tin and set it aside again. The idea of wolfy-greer gnawing on the toe-headed fiend from Ollivander's was now dancing in her head (like visions of sugar plums). "Well, it was Draco Malfoy, funny enough." Any Hogwarts alumni needed no real introduction to the notion of who exactly Draco Malfoy was. magic: To be fair, Greer didn't have a plethora of dates lined up around the block. So daydreaming about the older and experienced Gallowes was as exciting as it gets! Brows did waggle a bit though at her dearest friend when the joke was taken for what it was. Both girls finding amusement over the school girl crush and her mother's fudge. Apparently they never outgrew their Hogwarts years. "Malfoy? Really? He didn't call you anything nasty did he?" smile fading in degrees, as shoulders stiffened in preparation. [d] Pumpkin Dust: "No, nothing like that. He was making a damned mess of Ollivander's shop, though. Self-centered, spoiled little prat. He's every bit as insufferable as I remember him being in school. Lucky I managed to stay out of his way." Audrey helped herself to a serving of tea, offering to fill Greer's cup for her as well. "So, I have something to run by you. Something... a bit dangerous."

magic: There was a notable relief in the set of shoulders, although lower lip was ensnared and chewed upon by a row of teeth. Why was Malfoy causing a mess at Ollivanders? It wasn't her business, but definitely curious to hear about. She hoped the elderly shop keeper was alright. "Older and wiser, hmm?" accepting the refill of tea with a small nod of gratitude, and it was brought upwards for another savoring sip. At the mention of something dangerous, the cup was lowered to relative safety upon saucer. "..I'm listening." Audrey really knew how to captivate a girl. [d] Pumpkin Dust: She found herself uncertain, in that moment, of just how much to say. Audrey didn't really like to talk about Benedict, since the war. Having to explain about the owls she'd received, and the possible emotional implication of the baggage that came with them, was a tall order. She had every intention of telling Greer, of course - but, in that particular moment, it just felt like a lot to have to grapple with. "Victoria Avery is having a party tonight. It's a masquerade party. Very formal. Very... elaborate." Audrey paused, for dramatic effect. "Her son, Nyle, and I have a plot to infiltrate said party... and, while his mother is distracted with the festivities, possibly procure something from her clutches - something we need for a little experiment I'm conducting. I thought, maybe, you'd like to crash the party with us." She sipped her tea. magic: It would be entirely understandable if Audrey didn't want to discuss her former beau, especially in such a public setting where anyone could be eavesdropping. Greer wouldn't blame her either for being keeping the matter of owls to herself, as sometimes the mind and heart needed time to process. If anything, the two girls would always be there for one another. There was a flicker of curiosity in those stunningly blue eyes at the mention of Victoria Avery and the masquerade, head tilting at the mention of Nyle and a theft. Because let's call it what it was. Although, liberating had a nice ring too. "Honestly?" a heartbeat of a pause, "That's the best date a girl could ask for." Elegance, Death Eaters, Mystery, Committing a Felony.. What else should she be doing? --

Another sip was taken of tea before speaking again. "You do realize, this means we need to go shopping?" [d] Pumpkin Dust: Audrey sighed, admittedly less than excited about the prospect. "Sadly, yes." An afternoon catching up with Greer, however, couldn't possibly wasted. If she was going to have to go dress-shopping, she was glad for the company. ghoulgate: ``I'm in.`` Came a voice from behind the pair. ``Also, a bit annoyed that I wasn't the first person you came to when it comes to crashing a party, but that's fine, I get it, you probably assumed I've got like...seven other parties to crash tonight. Which I definitely do, but what sort of cousin would I be if I didn't prioritize properly? 'Sup, Greer?`` The ginger boy took a bite of a sugar cookie he'd swiped off a nearby table, continuing to chat away in spite of his full mouth. ``You know, I hear there ain't no party like a Death Eater party, 'cause a Death Eater party don't stop until somebody poops their pants. Ooh! Shopping! Awesome! Aud, loan me some money.`` Where...did Seth even come from? It was like he'd been hiding under the table, just waiting for this conversation. -d- Pumpkin Dust: Well. So much for being stealth tonight, then. magic: It was difficult not to laugh when Audrey looked so depressed at the notion of shopping. Neither girl had ever been very fashionable, preferring comfort over anything else. But when a scheme called for getting dolled up, they had to get with the program right? Laughter only dying down a little at the abrupt appearance of Darkon, which seemed only natural. Greer doubted that Audrey had intended on inviting him along, but he could prove useful or this could just go badly. What was the worst that could happen? A few unforgivable curses? Yikes. "Hey Seth," affectionate as usual to Audrey's cousin, as a second tin of her mother's famous fudge seemed to materialize from nowhere and be scooted towards him. [d] ghoulgate: ``Ooh fudge.`` And now Seth was scarfing fudge. Because he was a responsible adult and that's what they do. Pumpkin Dust: "This is actually not such a bad idea," Audrey offered, suddenly. She couldn't imagine anyone more distracting than Seth. "I mean.. so long as you don't allow yourself to get injured, or thrown out of the party too soon, Seth." Audrey contemplated this, for a moment, then grinned. "You should bring a date." magic: Greer couldn't help but smile, as bizarre as their plan for the evening was to be. Glancing between Audrey and Seth, it felt like old times. Maybe growing up, didn't mean that the adventures or hi-jinks had to end afterall? "Prematurely, would ruin things," agreeing with the coppery haired girl. "A date? That would work perfectly. Do we know anyone?" ghoulgate: ``Right. No premature ejectuation. Got it.`` Seth concurred between mouthfuls of fudge. ``Mmf. I could bring Sgt. Scraps. But he's getting pretty old. He pretty much just sleeps and farts. It's sort of his thing now.`` Also, it didn't help that the bloodhound in question was now so old that the folds of his forehead completely covered his eyes, rendering him mostly blind. It was sort of sad, but also sort of funny. He looked to Audrey. ``Will there be a buffet?`` Pumpkin Dust: Audrey pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger, and sighed. "Yes, Seth. There'll be a buffet." ghoulgate: ``I'll get a hold of Willow. We'll shut that shit down.`` -d- Pumpkin Dust: Audrey lowered her hand, and couldn't help but grin over in Greer's direction. "Willow. Now there's an idea."