milliways_bar | (no subject)

There's a git lounging at a table nearby. Casually eyeing the seeming potions set up.

The regard is familiar. The Ranger smiles fondly.

"It has been a while, Kenaz. Would you join me for tea?"

He turns and quirks an eyebrow at him. "I assure you Cai is not here to eat your robes. Although I think she is almost grown out of that now."

Raised eyebrows.

"Good. Unlike some wizards, I like to keep my robes in good shape."

He then got up, and headed over. Sat down so he was now lounging in a chair by the Ranger.

The Ranger chuckles and drops one of the nodules into the glass pot.

"Perhaps more durable robes should be designed then," he suggests impishly as he pours steaming water into the pot. Slowly, the "bud" begins to open.

"There are, but they look too common and ugly," He made a face.

Draco then peered at the flowering nodule with interest. "Interesting herb." He wondered about its potential as a potion ingredient.

It opens to its fullest, releasing osmanthus petals and revealing an orange lily at its heart.

"Herbs, technically," the Ranger says. "White tea sewn together with flowers. As pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate."

Grey eyes peered closely at the display.

"...Impressive." He was an admirer of beautiful things.

"Small, simple beauties," the Ranger says as the scented steam rises. "Grace notes in the symphony of life."

He pours into two, handleless cups.

"So, Kenaz, how have things been passing since our last meeting?"

Draco slowly nodded at that in agreement.

"Well, research. Spending my time elsewhere of late. Met someone." Was that hints of a smile? A *real* one? Not a smirk? Shockers.

Ahhhh! Young love.

There is a twinkle in the Ranger's eye as he sips his tea.

"That is good. What particular area of research is this? I presume magic, but I am also sure that there are as many areas of magic as there are of engineering, medicine, chemistry or even diplomacy."

The question of that "someone" will be addressed soon, gentle readers.

"There are. Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts." Some of the Dark Arts as well. Hexes and Curses. "Transfiguration. Subjects like that."

Well, maybe, if it can be coaxed out of the teen. He's still not sure what it is. Even though he's got a date. On Halloween no less.

"I see. Which facet are you exploring at the moment?
"

Ahhh, the need for coaxing makes it all the more fun.

"Well, Potions always been an interest for me," he shrugged.

"Indeed. Granted, I know little about your magic's system, but Potions do seem at first glance to be one of the more practical forms."

"It is, yes. Been teaching some of it to a friend of late. She's quite brilliant with it." Calm expression, but faint glimmers of something under the surface again. Remembering her delight at the exploding potions, and some of the more advanced poisons.

Ah-ha!

"Is this the someone you mentioned earlier?" he asks dryly.

Draco calmly said, "Perhaps." But there was something shirty about it, and he did seem quick to sip his tea to avoid speaking further.

The Ranger only smiles.

"Perhaps, then. It is no bad thing to discover a person who shares a love with you."

And Draco only... chokes on his tea at that. After much sputtering and coughing, he finally said, "It's not like that."

The thing about pale skin? Hard to hide blushing.

He finally added, "...Actually we don't know. ...It's complicated."

"Like what?" the Ranger asks innocently. "Friends of all kinds are precious."

He sips his tea with a knowing look as Draco blushes and sputters. And nods at his last qualifier.

"It always is," he says, sympatheticly. "It always is...for all of us."

"No, you don't understand," Draco sipped so more of the tea, a bit slower this time.

"We know we don't hate each other, and might even like each other. Only, I think I like her a great deal." There might be love there, but would he recognize it? Probably not. Not for a long time.

"And you find it both pleasing and unsettling?" the Ranger asks. "As though you were flying along and a strong gust suddenly caught you and carried you off without warning?"

"...Something like that. Not sure about her though."

Ah, the ancient game of "does he/she feel what I feel?"

"I suppose asking her is not possible at the moment."

Another sip of tea as his bland expression masks a mix of sympathy and amusement.

Draco started complaining some, "Well, not right now. And it's difficult to talk to her. She can be so strange and infuriating. I try to say something, and she'll look at me oddly. Find her fascinating anyway."