Sauver la Face

[Meggera Tepes]

Meggera had spent the rest of the afternoon in her dorm. She had written a very angry letter to her grandfather then trashed it. He would only reply saying he had only done what she had asked and found a younger prospect for her. He wouldn't understand the embarrassment she felt about being approached about this at school. What if Jamison had been one to joke about it with his friends? The whole school would know that her grandfather was trying to marry her off. Her grandfather didn't seem to think about these things before he acted. It might have made life at school hell for quite a while for her.

Luckily that didn't happen, but it could have. Though she supposed she was lucky he didn't try to contact any of her teachers. She really wouldn't be able to show her face at school again if he had. Though she wasn't to sure how she would tell her friends if the negotiations went through... She could only imagine what they might think of her. To cowardly to refuse her grandfathers wishes. Its true she did have a rebellious streak gained from her brothers, but it was no where near as dominant as one would expect. She had still been raised in a submissive mind set and that wasn't something easily broken.

She made her way down to the hall outside the great hall, a piece of paper in her pocket. It contained a few questions she had thought up after her initial anger had passed. It was a somewhat short list for now, but he had said she could ask him questions at any time so she wasn't worried about adding to it later on. She stood off to the side of the hall, watching people passing by to go to dinner while leaning against a pillar. She wished she could be as care free as them, but that was never in the cards for her unfortunately. She unfolded her piece of paper, reading over her list. She really wished she had thought up more questions. She needed to get to know him after all if he was indeed going to be her husband after all was said and done.


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Outfit: (same as earlier but without the jacket)
Pants and Shoes
Shirt
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

After working out the wording to say exactly what they had discussed and not a bit more (though he had managed to work in two sons and two daughter sin the writing), Jamison had written a finished copy and rolled it up to take with him, finishing by going to the Library for his research. Now, a few hours later, he had dashed off an urgent letter to his lawyer expressing his plan, ideas, and requesting advice and more information.

Now as he walked to the great hall he saw her leaning against a support and looking more determined then before. He grinned briefly, quickly wiping it from his face before he threw up a look of interest and walked into her field of vision. "Greetings! Let's step past the doors away from the steps, less ears." They walked a few feet farther and he pulled out the rolled parchment.

"Here, you will want to read it first of course." There was no lawyer mumbo-jumbo, but the words he had used were more specific without so few variations in the meanings. As she read he pulled out a quill with a very fine tip and nice feel and a pot of ink. When she finished, he handed her the bottle to hold and dipped the quill in, signing the parchment at the bottom with his full name.

"There, my word. If you want to sign it, then I can send it off to my lawyer in the morning and get us both copies. For your protection and your family will never know we have our own agreement unless you tell them." He held out the quill, taking the pot to hold if she needed.

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[Meggera Tepes]

She looked up from her list and placed it back in her pocket as he approached with what she could only guess was the contract in his hands. She followed him past the doors to where prying ears and eyes would have to work harder to find out what they were doing. She took the parchment and unrolled it, looking carefully over what he had written. It was essentially what they had talked about earlier. She'd be able to study and work as a healer and have certain freedoms, though she still wasn't to sure about the children even though it had been on her mind the rest of the afternoon. She knew it would be in one of the contracts whether she liked it or not. Perhaps they could rework how many children at a later date..after all, they didn't know how the future would go so far.

She took the quill from him, dipping it in the ink first, and signed the bottom of the contract right underneath his, blowing on it lightly to dry the signature before handing it back to him. “Everything looks to be in order so far then... When do you expect to hear from your lawyer?” she asked, glancing around to make sure no one was getting to close to over hear. Perhaps she'd just give him the list to look over later...she wasn't sure how long he wanted to be kept from dinner.

“I thought up a few questions for you...I have them here.” she said, pulling the folded piece of paper out of her pocket and holding it out to him, “Just a few for now... and they're just some basic things...” she said. It was somewhat embarrassing to her that she had so few written down, but they a somewhat decent start she supposed.

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Outfit: (same as earlier but without the jacket)
Pants and Shoes
Shirt
Tag: Jamison
(the list is coming in pm!)

[shava444]

It was a point of his pride that he had managed to write out a document she with her Ravenclaw mind couldn't see any issues with and signed without much comment. Feeling pleasure at the thought he had managed the personal end of this very well, he turned a clear mind to her comments and questions. "Well I think in the next day or two, I requested advice as well as information, might take a few days on his end. Should know at least an idea by the end of the week, maybe about the contract after that. If everything works it might take....hmm, two weeks or three maybe all together? Your grandfather had a month deadline."

When she handed him the paper he first feared it would be something lengthy, but he saw she had been careful about her thinking indeed! Holding it he went down one at a time. "Hmm...Well let me see what of these I can answer for you now." he doubted she wanted to sit at the table with him or have him at hers. "I'll have to hold off on the father question for a bit, I should show you something before that so you can follow. Only Child, Spinner's End is our family home near Cokeworth, we'd live there unless something else makes more sense later, I know of nothing specific right now and I'd ask you about other things as they come up I suspect," that might be some issue, but he couldn't get ahead of everything!

"Traveling band would be a problem and a big performance one I think would require too much time, but charity and small local should be fine, I'd have to think about the classes in a minute, Fencing quite a bit actually and flying is what I love, the Quidditch is an extra, lambanog especially orange and oatmeal with baked apples," he twitched inside as the second was such a common food, "as to the business, I am, in a way you might very well understand," he said folding the paper as he looked up into her eyes, "bred for this. My whole life has been training for leading my family's future and a lot sits on my shoulders. If I could have chosen?"

He was quiet for several long seconds contemplating a world he found hard to believe in. After his eyes refocused he glanced back at her with a small smile, warm though. "Maybe I would have attempted being the man who runs a hotel? I always thought that was a fun and challenging job, having all those people to please and being good at it making people happy."

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[Meggera Tepes]

Ah, of course her grandfather put a time limit. He didn't like things to be drawn out for to long unless it was absolutely necessary. She nodded, “That makes sense. He doesn't like it when things get drawn out to long.” she said, lacing her hands together in front of her to give them something to do really. She was trying not to fidget to give the impression that she was uncomfortable, but she was a little nervous. It had been quite a shocking day for her after all, so her nerves were a bit frayed.

As he went on to answer the questions he could she listened carefully so she could commit the answers to memory. She was rather pleased about his answer to her being in a band. The fencing surprised her a bit though. She knew of it but had never met anyone who actually participated in it. “Is fencing difficult? And whats Lambanog?” she asked, her head tilting to the side ever so slightly. She had never heard of Lambanog before. It came in an orange flavor though so maybe it was some sort of drink or candy?

The hotel business was also a bit of a surprise, though she did see a bit of the appeal of making people happy. Wasn't that why she wanted to be a nurse after all? To help people and make them happy. Healthy people were generally happy after all. “Had you ever thought, even briefly, of changing professions? Just leaving it all behind and going rouge?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. She assumed everyone had at least a small time when they wanted to rebel. Well...she hoped they did at least so she wouldn't be the only one....

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Outfit: (same as earlier but without the jacket)
Pants and Shoes
Shirt
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

He frowned slightly, wondering what was up with her grandfather's sense of time. "But that doesn't quite fit. He's lived so long yet he hates things to get too long like this? A month he is worried about? Can you explain that better?" She seemed more interested in some things then in others, which was natural of course. And curious as well. "I guess it depends on when you start it, I began when I was seven with much smaller swords of course. It's very hard exercise, but yes, I enjoy it quite a lot."

How did you describe the stuff? Tricky indeed! "Well...it's an alcohol based on coconuts to begin with, but my grandfather found a man who infuses the flavors into a gum which I have a contract with. He sends me a new batch every month during the spring and summer. It's a little hard to describe I think... But it can be flavored with lots of things. He's limited to like four right now with the gum, but the drink itself probably dozens of different types."

Her comment seemed foreign to him, something he had never thought of. "No. Why would I? Twelve generations of my family have worked to get us where we are right now and I'm the only one left besides my mother. If I throw it all away then what am I saying about all those who worked before me?" Jamison tilted his head at her and then leaned against the wall slightly, signifying he found this worth following up. "Is this about the contract? Or are you have second thoughts about something else?"

Curious. Did she feel comfortable talking to him about things like this? Why? he was kind of a stranger to her in many ways still. "Oh, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you as well. What are your favorite three colors in order of preference? I realized I don't have any idea if someone asks."

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[Meggera Tepes]

“When it comes to 'business transactions'...he's formed the mind set over the years that if you give someone to long another perfectly good opportunity might pass you by while waiting...especially when you aren't sure if they'll accept or not.” she said, looking towards the floor. It was a sort of....harsh way to put it, especially given the situation, but it was true. Or at least thats how she felt her grandfather viewed it. She pondered over the fencing, “Thats interesting. I've never known anyone who did that. I'd like to see it one day...if thats alright of course...” she said. She couldn't help but be curious. It was essentially sword fighting, who wouldn't be?

An alcohol that was turned into a gum? She was hearing of all sorts of new things today. She wasn't a big fan of alcohol herself, having a low tolerance to the stuff, but gum was good. Extremely helpful in fact in certain situations. “I see.” she said, feeling a little silly that she didn't have anything else to add, but she felt slightly rude asking if his grandfather got him hooked on the gum or not. She knew a few people who would take such a question as an insinuation that they were alcoholics. So she tended to avoid such questions all together.

She shook her head quickly, “No, it not about the contract. I was just curious. You see a lot of people our age having such thoughts and rebellious streaks, especially here at Hogwarts. I was merely wondering if you were one of them or not.” she said, calmly with a small shrug. Heck she was one of them, maybe not as vocal or active, but one none the less. What else were her attempts to scare off all her suitors? At least she knew if the contract went through she wouldn't have to deal with her future being upended randomly. She had to check...for her own peace of mind.

She actually had to think about her favorite colors. They tended to change with her mood but there were a few that carried over no matter the time of year or mood, “Hmm...I'd have to say purple...blue(or teal)...and mint green.” she said. She wasn't sure who'd be asking what colors she liked, but she supposed it was better to be safe then have no answer later on.

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Outfit: (same as earlier but without the jacket)
Pants and Shoes
Shirt
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

Business. As much as he did see contracts as the business of the pureblood world, he was surprised despite seeing the reasoning. "I'm surprised. I just hadn't thought of something like family to be that way..." And she thought the fencing was interesting; a smile crept out across his face. "Most assuredly. Long as you don't accuse me of showing off. And don't fall asleep as I explain the rules of it."

Her interest in the gum made him laugh softly. "I'll give you a piece to try next time I get some. I don't part with my supply too easily." She was quick to refute the question and he smiled a bit wider. She was already convincing herself that this was going to work, becoming sure this was the right path for her. Man, he was getting good at this stuff. "Okay, you can see why I asked. But true, there are a lot who are not sure as I am."

He nodded at the color choices. "Thanks, just suddenly thought it would be good to check. Mine are all jewel tones; sapphire, emerald, and jade. The light green kind, not the white stuff. Something about the clear intensity inside a jewel so I think transparency is important in them." He shrugged, it sounded expensive, but it was the truth. A curious glance at her for a moment and then he asked her "Do you want to join me for dinner or is that too early for you so far?"

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[Meggera Tepes]

She shrugged, leaning back against the wall slightly, looking at her shoes, “Thats because it shouldn't be.” she said simply. There was a certain tone in her voice that hinted at anger towards her grandfather that slipped through, despite her own wishes. She couldn't help but be angry at the man at the core of it all. She moved on though, looking up from her shoes to him, “I won't accuse you of showing off or fall asleep. I'm the curious one after all.” she said with the smallest smile. Ah he'd bring her a piece of this special gum, that was nice of him.

She nodded in agreement, “Definitely not. I think a group of them just passed by actually...” she said in a contemplative tone. It was a joke, but she wasn't very good at them usually. Not many people got her humor at all which made her think she should just give up on the whole endeavor. Her brother got the humorous genes, not her.

“Jewel tones are very nice, my mother was a fan of Jade as well.” she said, with a small nod, remembering her mothers small obsession with the color after James was born. She had completely decorated the nursery in jade tones, even her parents room had Jade colored curtains and a bead spread at the time. She hesitated at the offer to join him for dinner. She wasn't sure if that was a good idea just yet. “A little. I'm still trying to adjust to this after all.” she said, shifting slightly, “Though perhaps in a week or so.” she added softly. They might know more then, like if this was actually going to happen or not.

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Outfit: (same as earlier but without the jacket)
Pants and Shoes
Shirt
Tag: Jamison

[shava444]

It was difficult not to smile as she made the comment tinged with being upset. It meant that her grandfather was already in her eyes getting to be more a enemy then him so the groundwork was well laid. These more personal conversation might be helping with that however. By the time they got to the rings, he doubted she would resist his personal space much longer. Was this how things had gone with his parents, resigned because of not seeing the other as the enemy in the situation? "Deal then. I'll be glad to show you."

Nodding his head, he shrugged. "Not much can be done about that I suspect." And she liked his colors well enough. then he had something to work with. There was at least one surprise in his mind for her later on if this worked all out. She excused herself from his invitation and he didn't take offense. "That's quite all right, I understand." He bowed his head at her for a moment.

Pursing his lips he said to her "I probably do best in Charms. Flying was fantastic and Defense was fascinating, but Charms are where the most of my talents lie. Since you asked." Reaching out he patted her on the shoulder briefly, seeking a personal touch and then added "See you over the next few days then. I am sure you will have more questions, I will think about others as well just in case." With that he turned and headed into dinner, choosing a space at the table and watching to see where she sat at hers.

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[Meggera Tepes]

Well the fencing was something to look forward to. She enjoyed learning about new things quite a bit. Perhaps this wouldn't be all that bad after all, though she didn't really trust herself right now. She needed sleep and a bit of drawing to process everything that happened today, perhaps a bit of reading as well. She was however glad he didn't seem bothered by her refusal to eat dinner at his table. Despite it not being as bad as she expected she still wasn't quite ready to 'announce' this to the school, because certain people would definitely notice and start the rumor mill once again. She wasn't quite ready for that...

“Charms...thats a fun class. I enjoy it quite a bit. I've been trying to get better at them for my training with the school nurse next year.” she said with a small smile. So they liked the same class. Granted it wasn't her favorite class of the bunch, but still very enjoyable none the less. He patted her shoulder and with his final words he took his leave for dinner. She let out a small sigh and remained leaning against the wall for a few moments.

She decided she wouldn't tell her friends, not yet at least. She couldn't conceal it from them for very long, they would know something was off, but maybe long enough to find out if negotiations were going well or not. She pushed herself lightly off the wall and made her way to the Ravenclaw table. She sat in her usual spot near the end of the table. Not many of her friends were at dinner yet so she sat with the few that were, trying to play that nothing life changing was going on except the next major test.

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Outfit: (same as earlier but without the jacket)
Pants and Shoes
Shirt
Tag: Jamison