Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis)

Guest

The cafeteria at the university had been bustling and serving food that was below even Louis' standards. The Auror trainer had decided on just getting a coffee and then had vacated the building without looking back. He'd have to ask Vanessa's butler to make sure he had lunch prepared for him next week, because he was not eating in there, ever.

It was getting chilly now November was rolling in, so Louis pulled his coat up around him, sipping his coffee and using the heat from the cup to keep his hands warm.

The man reflected that at times like this, he wished he could just go home to Vanessa because everything seemed to be warm and more than exceeded expectations around her. Not like this university. A fond smile touched his lips at the thought of his fiancé, seemingly making Louis completely unaware of his surroundings.

Though he never could be.

Just one more two hour lecture and then he was free to go home. That was enough to bring the smallest of springs in to his step.

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sat May 24, 2014 3:15 am

Azalea had expected her job to be stressful, after all, university was a whole new ballpark as Kit had mentioned in the congratulatory card he had sent her on the first day of work at Unseen University, along with a ridiculously extravagant bouquet of azaleas that had made the witch smile ruefully at her father. Still, the main reason her work wasn't as stressful as everyone estimated it to be was because of her students. They Were all good kids and none of them went out of their way to make her life harder than it already was.

The wind that whipped across the courtyard was chilly even for november as Azalea made her way from her classroom to the administrative building, nearly a dozen folders stacked neatly in her arms. The witch had forgotten her coat back in the classroom and had estimated a quick run to the admin building was doable, until she's stepped out and the wind had immediately caught onto her long brown locks, blowing them across her face and obscuring the young woman's vision.

Her heels clicked a staccato on the cobbled stone street as she struggled against the wind, trying to keep her head low and files secured, unsure whether to summon her vines to her aid in such an open environment. Enough noise came form the cafeteria to assure her that it was crowded and a few stragglers could be seen here and there making there way in the breeze, their own faces tucked behind their coat collars.

"Smart Harrington," the girl muttered to herself as another gust of wind blew her way, promptly relieving her of her files and scattering them all around the country. "Really smart," she grumbled, lowering herself own to the ground to pick up the scattered documents before the wind took them even further away.

Guest

Louis had almost made it back to the refuge of the Offensive and Defensive Magic building when he heard the tumble of books nearby and a young lady talking to herself in what was probably a demeaning manner for dropped her books. Turning his attention away from the door, the Frenchman moved to the young lady's side, knowing it was his duty to make sure everyone got the help they deserved.

"Excuse moi, can I help?" Louis asked, bending down and placing his coffee cup on the ground as he helped to pick up the many folders that had been dropped. Far too many for one witch to carry on her own. Well, no woman should be moving her own things, not ideally. "I've got these." Louis continued, taking them up, and holding them to his chest. "Would you mind bringing my coffee? I'll help you get these to where you need to be."

And then he finally looked at the witch, and realisation dawned on him that she was not a stranger. Standing up quickly, Louis turned, looking to where she'd been heading. "Administration building, right?" He asked, deducing that from her directionality and the fact these seemed to be student's files. Anything to give him a moment to collect his thoughts enough.

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sat May 24, 2014 3:35 am

"Excuse moi, can I help?"

Azalea looked up from her position on the ground, a file in hand only to see not a student but a distinguished looking gentleman offering a hand. For a moment, the witch stared up, startled as her mind berated her lightly. This was what a real university professor looked like, not her, a teen chasing after files in the wind.

"It's alright, Sir, I'll m-" she began only for the obviously European man to start collecting her files, leaving the witch to get back on her feet and look slightly sheepish. It had taken the man about half a minute with his long strides to collect all the files and hold them securely to his coat.

"Would you mind bringing my coffee? I'll help you get these to where you need to be."

"Of course," the witch replied gratefully a he turned away from her, no doubt unimpressed with her lack of professionalism. Oh well, it was turning out to be too easy of a day anyway. Now at last balance was restored to the universe, the witch reflected as she hurried to keep up with the man.

"I apologize for the... for earlier," she began, her tone sufficiently chastised. "I didn't expect the wind to be so difficult. I forgot my coat in the classroom," she explained lamely, trying to redeem herself in her new colleague's view, "Thank you for your help," she added politely.

Guest

Louis was thankful for the fact the younger witch wasn't overly observant as they began to walk, Louis with her folders held close to him whilst she carried his coffee. It wasn't ideal, but the older man didn't have enough hands for both.

"I apologize for the... for earlier,"

"There's no need, la demoiselle." Louis replied, trying to stay coherent in one language and failing. The man took a moment as the younger witch continued to explain how she was sorry that the wind had made her life slightly difficult, and he shook his head.

"Thank you for your help,"

"It's no trouble." Louis assured her, giving her a warm smile. "Though, next time I suggest you ask a student to give you a hand." He advised, preferably male, but he wouldn't speak too openly. It seemed many of the young men in this university did not know the decorum of his social class.

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sat May 24, 2014 4:13 am

"There's no need, la demoiselle."

French, as if the defining features hadn't been enough, the brunette had no doubt now. Still, at least he was smiling and not as unimpressed as she'd imagined.

"Though, next time I suggest you ask a student to give you a hand."

"Oh I really didn't want to bother them for a few files," the witch answered brightly despite the chilly weather. "I've carried far heavier things than a few pieces of paper around." A slight sound of laughter left her lips as she reflected upon the bags of earth, potted plants and leaves of all description lugged around that were a constant part of her job.

"I'm Azalea, by the way," she introduced herself as they neared the administration building. "Azalea Harrington, I'm doing the bloodwork courses in the Health Sciences building," she explained further.

Guest

"I've carried far heavier things than a few pieces of paper around."

A soft "non" left Louis' lips with a distinct shake of his head. "Ladies should never be expected to carry heavy things. A man's duty is to look after a lady." He explained, realising this whole school was most definitely filled with idiots as men. "I shall send one of my boys after your lessons to make sure you do not struggle." He added, it would be a good way to teach some of the boys in his class some manners.

"Azalea Harrington, I'm doing the bloodwork courses in the Health Sciences building,

"Ah, yes, how rude of me. Major Louis Clement, of the Offensive and Defensive Magic building." Louis replied, just about managing the door for the witch, Azalea, and ushering her inside first. "Please excuse me, I have a notion for people knowing my name from first class because they were told before hand." He explained, shaking his head at his own manners.

"It is a delight to meet you, Miss Harrington." Louis added politely, motioning towards the staff room. "Are you heading in there?" He asked, for the most part Louis stayed out of the way from the other teachers, more interested in his paper work, but he could make allowances.

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sat May 24, 2014 4:37 am

"Ladies should never be expected to carry heavy things. A man's duty is to look after a lady."

Azalea shook her head bemused at his words, wondering if she should point out that she wasn't entirely sure if she was a lady by this point in her life. Though the witch had noticed that courtesy was almost more perceptible in the UK and surrounding regions than it was in America.

"I shall send one of my boys after your lessons to make sure you do not struggle."

"That wont be necessary, Sir. I'll... summon one of the elves," she amended. That should be a happy compromise on both their parts.

"Ah, yes, how rude of me. Major Louis Clement, of the Offensive and Defensive Magic building."

"its very nice to make your acquaintance, Major," the young woman smiled, stepping through the door he had just opened for her. She didn't mind him assuming people knew his name in advance. From the way the man spoke and carried himself, Azalea wagered he belonged to one of those upscale pureblood families of Europe.

When asked if she was headed to the staffroom, the brunette shook her head a second time. "Oh no, I was just going to drop off these files and then head back. I have an appointment at St. Nick's in an hour," she explained as they approached the main desk.

"Lately I've just been running back and forth from the hospital it seems," she added with a good natured chuckle. gesturing for the clerk to take the files from the Frenchman. "From Bloodwork 101," she added, signing on the submission form in her neat cursive script and returning the paper.

Guest

"That wont be necessary, Sir. I'll... summon one of the elves,"

Louis nodded at the compromise, so long as the witch wasn't struggling, he didn't much mind who helped her. Vanessa would never let him hear the end of it if he didn't help a young lady, of that much he was sure. And Clements were always brought up with the respect for women at the forefront of life.

"its very nice to make your acquaintance, Major,"

"You can call me Louis, I haven't been called Major in a number of years." The older man insisted. Major was probably redundant now, but these kids didn't need to know that, they merely needed to know he was an important man and not a force to be reckoned with.

Placing the folders on the desk as Azalea booked them in, Louis took in the information about her going back to St Nick's... A quick memory jog later told him that the witch was heading to America, which he likely should have denoted from the American tones in her voice earlier. "Purely academic reasons, I hope." Louis replied to that, not sure what else he could say in regards to that as he took his coffee from the side and took a small sip.

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sat May 24, 2014 10:39 pm

"You can call me Louis, I haven't been called Major in a number of years."

Azalea nodded, wondering what exactly the man had done prior to teaching here and why it had required him to drop the title. He certainly looked shrewd enough to be an ex Auror but to her knowledge, most retired law enforcers took pride in their rank. And at any rate, the gentleman beside her didn't look nearly old enough to be retired.

Perhaps he'd been injured in the line of work, she guessed trying to get a sense of this ex Major.

"Purely academic reasons, I hope."

"Thankfully yes," the witch replied with an easy smile. "I'm helping with some research as well as arranging a field trip of sorts for the Bloodwork class," she explained courteously. Her files were taken by the clerk and the forms filled, leaving her free to go. Azalea fell naturally into step beside the older man as she walked and talked.

"But it shouldn't take too long, I promised to meet my father for dinner afterwords and if I'm late I'll never hear the end of it," she spoke with a soft lilt in her voice. "I haven't seen him in a few months so naturally he likes teasing me about it," the young woman added fondly.

Guest

"I'm helping with some research as well as arranging a field trip of sorts for the Bloodwork class,"

"Sounds very interesting!" Louis replied, genuinely meaning those words. "I believe many of my students are booked in on yours for part of their training. I can only hope their better at healing themselves than they are at the rest." He added, not yet having been impressed by any of his candidates. Too easy to affect, Louis had noticed, but then shutting off from feelings was a difficult feat.

"But it shouldn't take too long, I promised to meet my father for dinner afterwords and if I'm late I'll never hear the end of it,"

The witch was still fairly young by the manner in which she spoke, Louis concluded. Still young enough to need a father figure, and by the looks of it, look up to him. A pang of loss touched Louis' chest, though outwardly you'd never tell. How much he'd wanted a child in his life, someone to look up to him, call him Papa, run to him when he was home for a cuddle, someone to look after. A son and a daughter would have been his preference. An heir, and a princess.

But such things with Vanessa now remained a dream he'd had as a young man.

"And your maman will be joining you too?" Louis asked softly, tentatively almost. Perhaps it was a little nosey, but the man liked this carefree nature of talk. No-one at the Ministry spoke to him for who he was, and so long as this girl didn't know... Perhaps they could be acquaintances of a sort.

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sun May 25, 2014 2:13 am

"And your maman will be joining you too?"

Truth be told, it wasn't the first time Azalea had been asked about a mother but when she was young, for the most part Clara had stepped in, to the ;point where as a child, Azalea didn't know the difference between a mother and Godmother what with having no memory of the real thing and never spending any time with "normal" mothers to know how Clara was different from one.

No, the knowledge that she had no mother had came in just as the young witch had started school, and served to alienate her even further. Thankfully the adult Azalea could deal with the issue of a mother in a manner slightly more graceful then her twelve year old counterpart.

"I'm afraid not," she corrected softly. "I was adopted as a child, my father is single." It no longer felt awkward, or painful as it used to years ago. Being around Jake's family, being around friends who had started families of their own had bought a new knowledge of families to the young woman. A household in her mind no longer consisted of a parental unit and a few children, it had now evolved into a few people living together and doing the best they could with what they had.

"But my Godmother will be there," the brunette added cheerily.

Guest

"I'm afraid not," she corrected softly. "I was adopted as a child, my father is single."

"Je suis desole." Louis replied, he should have known better than to ask, really. But he was curious. The Frenchman's gaze travelled to the girl in that moment, taking her in properly for the first time. On first look Louis summarised she was a pretty young woman, likely filling her classes for at least that reason. But the second glance...

The hair...

The sentence structure...

The way this witch held herself...

"But my Godmother will be there,"

The Frenchman was still calculating in his head, trying to place an age on the witch. Around the age of twenty maybe? Which working back... It couldn't be, could it? Her skin was much darker than Vanessa's... but then living out in America... dependant on the area. The man was over thinking... There was simply no way this could be possible.

"That's good." Louis finally managed, composing himself inwardly. What more could he say?

Subject: Re: Fall in Your Sunlight (Azalea & Louis) Sun May 25, 2014 5:20 am

"That's good."

As they stepped out into the cold wind once more, Azalea stopped only to see the figure of Michael heding towards her, her own coat clutched in his hands.

"Hey Azalea, you forgot this in class," he breathed, struggling against the cold weather himself.

"Hi Michael, thank you," the witch took the coat from him, guessing he was waiting for Angel to finish her own set of classes.The former Belladonna waved politely and continued opn his way, leaving her alone with Major Clement once more.

"Well Sir, I'll be heading off then, thank you again for the help, it was lovely meeting you." The declaration came with an extended hand towards the gentleman and a warm smile on her face.

"Have a nice day."

Guest

As a young male hurried to Azalea with what Louis assumed to be her coat, a small smile touched the Frenchman's lips. Tradition and gentlemanly antics were not completely lost in this world, it seemed. "That's refreshing." Louis commented softly, not really meaning to be heard as he spoke.

"Well Sir, I'll be heading off then, thank you again for the help, it was lovely meeting you."

Taking the young witch's hand, Louis raised it carefully to his lips and gently laid a kiss on the back of her hand. His French mannerisms were never going to leave him, no matter how long he remained in England. "Not as lovely as it was meeting you, Miss Harrington." Louis replied, taking her in one last time and coming to the conclusion that once again in life, he was not wrong.

"Good luck at the hospital, and please... don't be a stranger." Louis called after the witch as she moved on. Leaving the man to stand and watch as the closest thing he'd ever had to a daughter disappeared from view. She didn't need to know, nor would it ever be her place to tell Azalea Harrington.

But Louis knew precisely where her mother was, and the world she was missing out on.

» Every Now and Then I Fall Apart (Jazalea)
» Louis Delacroix
» Catching Up (Louis)
» The Wedding of the Year (Louis)
» Dinner for Four (Jari+Louis)