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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:24:20 GMT -5
Dec 20, 2011 at 12:41am
In freshly cleaned jeans and a nice shirt (even his work boots which he wore had been washed) Taranis stood at the road side next to the rock before the turn into their farm. There was no real driveway as they had no car like muggles, but there was a fence in the low stone wall which he had unlatched. He ignored the passing bus of tourists going by, though they snapped photos through the bus windows, mostly of the lake across the way not in his direction. No, he waited for Mister Daniels. The clever wizard had taken the old frame of a non-working muggle van and had fiddled quite a bit. Inside were four brooms fastened to the frame in a diamond pattern. With a wizard or witch on each (and he in front steering by the semi-understood road safety laws) it looked like a normal carload of people driving the roads and he was able to bring his clients out in daybreak amongst muggles back and forth between towns. It was a clever trick needed in the heavy tourist area and Taranis and his mother both had ridden with the lawyer in his trips back and forth to get supplies from town. Now he waited to spot the broom-car so he could swing the gate open for the man and greet his soon to be in laws if everything went right. He had left his mother and sisters doing last minute things in the house, cleaning up and freshening up from the winter preparations. As he saw the slightly jerky motions approaching, he quickly got the gate and pulled it back, nodding with a wave at the "driver" who winked at him. As soon as he had stopped, Taranis pushed the gate back in place and stepped around to open the door and hold out a helping hand to the first person getting out on the passenger side. "Morning Mr DiAngelo, Mrs DiAngelo. Nice to meet you, my name is Taranis Summerby." As the two adults looked him up and down standing there and Mr Daniels came around the vehicle, he quickly stepped forward and gave Rosalie his hand, helping her duck her head and not hit the door frame of the "vehicle." "Morning, Rosalie." He turned and shook the lawyer's hand, ignoring his hinting grin and trying not to blush. "Well now, since everyone is in good hands I would say, I'll be back on the road. If you need me before five, send me an owl, otherwise I'll see you then!" Shaking her father's hand as Taranis waved to guide them inwards across the farm field path of interlocked stone, the lawyer got back inside and moved back out the gate as Taranis opened and closed it for him a final time. Turning to the family looking across the field towards the farmhouse with the cheerful smoking chimney about a hundred feet away, Taranis felt butterflies indeed in his stomach.
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:25:47 GMT -5
Rosalie thought Mr. Daniels was a very clever man indeed to have engineered the device in which she currently found herself travelling. She watched the scenery pass in a blur of all different shades of green. She had never been around muggles very often, and the novelty of being in a muggle town fascinated her. Her parents seemed just as intrigued, though not quite so obviously enthralled as their daughter. Her mum was smiling, as though the passing scenery reminded her of some far off memory. Her father looked to be deep in thought, no doubt running through his endless list of questions. Mr. Daniels was the only one who seemed obliged to fulfill Rosalie's need to burn nervous energy. Throughout the ride he spoke of the history of the town, Taranis' neighbors, and asked her questions about herself and her life at Hogwarts.
She decided she liked the Mr. Daniels, who, besides being likeable in general had provided them a much simpler way to arrive at their current destination, and for that they were all grateful. When they arrived at the stone gate, Rosalie's eyes widened, momentarily awed by the natural beauty of the place. It had a very warm feel to it, and she was struck by the oddest sense of 'home' in this place she'd never been. When the doors opened, she smiled at Taranis, who came to help her down in true gentlemany fashion. She wanted to give him a thumbs up, knowing her parents would both be impressed by his manners, but that would have to wait for later. When he introduced himself, Rosalie held her breath, but both mother and father seemed charmed by his first impression, if a bit hesitant.
"Hello Taranis", his mother chimed in first, "It is a pleasure to meet you, you may call me Aryssa if you like." Her mother's smile bespoke years of proper training, and she smiled sardonically to herself. Her father, seeming to struggle between being polite and making himself intimidating, nodded in agreement before speaking. "And you may call me Mr. DiAngelo until we've had the chance to talk." Rosalie blushed, and she noticed her mother elbowing her father out of the corner of her eye. She smiled apologetically at Taranis, but part of her was glad for her father's protectiveness, it made her feel safe, and well-loved. It took her a moment to realize Taranis was speaking to her, and she smiled at him brightly, "Good morning Taranis", then she too turned to Mr. Daniels. "Thank you so much for the ride, you've made everything so much easier for us." She smiled warmly at the lawyer, and waved.
Noting Taranis odd sense of unease, she spoke up. "Where are your mum and sisters Taranis? I hope they aren't going to too much trouble."
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:26:50 GMT -5
Taranis knew fom the moment he saw Rosalie's mother that she would stand out here like a hawk amongst the pigeons. She had an air about her of finer things, used to more upscale then what a farm could offer. And that had been the worry he hadn't expressed to Rosalie that his family would seem too poor for her parents. Mr DiAngelo however came across as all business, even if a trifle bit friendlier then business was normally. "I understand, sir. My mother told me you probably would. I'll answer anything I can, but only my mother knows all the details about finances."There, might as well get it out in the open. His grateful look in Rosalie's direction when she spoke was for more then one reason indeed. She had just given him a direction to head in at least. "They are in the house attempting last minute miracles of baking, of course," he grinned now, knowing his sisters may not be as helpful at the moment as they wished to be, but they would be the welcoming party when they got to the house. "I would offer you a tour, but I thought you might want to go inside first to warm up. It's not fancy or anything, it's just home."He knew Rosalie wanted to see everything and he assumed her father did as well, but he had no idea about her mother, the big unknown for him. "Come on up the path out of the tour busses view and I'll answer any questions you have along the way that I can," he said putting out an arm for Rosalie to take if she wanted. The path was flat stones that over the centuries had been carefully either chosen or slowly worn down to fit into each other like a non-interlocking jigsaw puzzle, then stuck together. It was solid and yet at the same time spoke of long work and careful attention to detail. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to kiss her in front of her parents or not. "As you can see by the path, we haven't always been this small a farm and the buildings used to be better taken care of, but my great-great grandfather had a dream for a future he invested pretty heavily in and he ate up a lot of the family money doing so." He shrugged; he hadn't been around then clearly and maybe no one had been able to talk reason to him, but it was simple fact, no getting around it. As they approached the house he caught a peek of one of his sisters slipping a peek to see how close they were.
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:28:32 GMT -5
Rosalie would have glared at her father, but she didn't want to disappoint her mother. She sighed instead, hoping suddenly for some alone time with Taranis, and soon. Maxim DiAngelo, for his part, seemed satisfied by Taranis' response. Rose flinched noticably at the word finances, and both her mother and father gave Taranis similar looks of surprise. Her father smiled then, a look of understanding lit his hazel eyes. "Son, I don't give a whit's end about your family's finances. What money you have is your own business and no one else's." Her mother coughed once, but it sounded suspiciously like she was trying not to laugh at her husband. Rose realized that of all the things she and Taran had talked about, she had neglected to mention her father had once been extremely poor, just as Taranis now considered himself.
Rose grabbed Taranis' hand in hers and smiled before kissing him lightly on the cheek. Her mother spoke then. "I think I'd like to get acquainted with your mother and sisters, Taranis, maybe after everyone's been acquainted, you could take Rosalie and her father around?" Both aforementioned parties nodded obligingly. Mum's word was law to them, always had been, and Rose suspected Taran would understand. "That would be great", she agreed. "I've been looking forward to this particular tour all week." She gave him an encouraging smile and motioned in front of them. "Lead the way."
"I think we'll save the questions for after we've all been properly introduced" her mum interjected softly. Her father seemed content enough with this notion, and offered his arm to her mother in much the same manner Taranis had done a moment before. So it was, that the pairs made their way up the path and to the house. Rosalie thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye, but couldn't have been certain. She noticed the stonework in the path for te first time. As Taranis spoke, the rest of the group listened intently, and it was Rose's father who nodded, "every pureblood family tree has a few nuts", he observed casually. Rose could almost see the scowl on her mother's face, though her back was turned to the two.
She giggled softly, "Daddy sometimes says things before he thinks about them, now you know where I get it from." Her father ruffled her hair affectionately from behind, and she turned her head slightly to smile up at him, both excited and nervous for the meetings ahead. When they reached the doorway, everyone paused uncertainly, waiting for Taranis to make the first move.
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:31:10 GMT -5
Well, an interesting reaction, but he noted Rosalie's expression and knew that she was thinking one thing and him another. He chuckled in the brief silence and said "I think you misunderstand me, sir. I didn't say you would be interested at all, but both my mother and I believe that in any situation involving multiple families, everything should be up front between both sides. I offered so you know if you should need to ask or have a concern, we're not hiding anything from you. That's the only way to be truly honest." His stance and his eyes as he stared straight into her father's face said he considered his honesty more important then most things and he wanted to be judged that way. It was with relief that Taranis led the way to the house (kissing her on the cheek first of course glad she had made the move), already having faced one hurtle he had expected. By throwing the subject of finances to being one of honesty from their side, he almost closed the door on that subject as well as his mother had more then once told him. If her father reacted this way to the mere bringing up the subject, this should settle in his mind that money had little to do with this. Should, he thought. "Works for me. If I had tried to take you on the tour first my sisters would probably have tried to kill me later. They are anxious to meet you all," he chuckled softly as they approached the door and hesitated before opening the door looking back at them. "I should say we don't get visitors much so don't be surprised if, ah, they are a bit excited." His grin wasn't so much for them as for himself and Rosalie, but at that moment the door swung open fast and he caught it with his arm quickly before it could smack him in the head. The door stopped abruptly (a tribute to his muscles) and the fourteen year old who had opened it exclaimed in surprise. "Oh! Welcome to our house, Mr and Mrs DiAngelo! Hi Rosalie! Come right in! My name is Aimid!" nearly bouncy on her toes at the moment, she stepped to the side, dressed in a pretty white dress, though simple, in a manner she probably thought courtly in a fashion. Taranis motioned for Rosalie and her parents to precede him into the space saying "Introduce them, Aimid, I'll close the door."As they headed inside he fell back to close the door behind the guests, letting his sisters take over for what they were eagerly waiting to do. First there was Taranis' mother who held out her hand to Rosalie first with a "Ah, I can see why you caught his eyes, Rosalie," and a smile before greeting her parents as Aimid introduced them over and over to each other. Amusing. With the door shut it was easy to feel the heat from the big stove (which had been polished to a shiny finish) permeating the room and Taranis offered to take their coats, starting with both the woman first and then Rosalie's father. Meanwhile little twelve year old Boann cleared her throat and held out a chair far too big for her saying "Here Mrs Di-Ang-Lio, you can sit here."With a slight blush, Taranis stepped around Rosalie and held out a chair for her on the far side with a smile saying soft enough she could hear him "Here, Rosalie, sit down here by me." With everyone seated and the adults mostly at the end of the table, he whispered in her ear "Boann was the one who saw your letter and said you must have the hots for me. She's trying to make up for that now." With a chuckle he sat back up, Aimid taking the seat between Taranis and his mother leaving Boann with no seat. She promptly took Taranis lap and he let her. Rolling his eyes over her head as he looked at Rosalie and she said "It's okay if you want to stay here sometime, Rosalie, I'll share my bed with you." "Our..." "Our bed I mean." She added without a hitch, though her sister sighed and looked at the ceiling.
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:37:08 GMT -5
Her father smiled, and nodded in a somewhat off-handed sort of way. “I guess I can understand that”, he agreed. He looked impressed with Taranis, and Rosalie was glad for that fact. She couldn’t gauge her mother’s response, as she was currently engaging in a rather annoying habit of hers: keeping her face absolutely blank, a mask of polite interest. Rosalie laughed, “Then let’s hurry so they don’t have to wait much longer” she agreed. Her parents were giving them both looks of amusement, and this Rose realized, without having to pretend anything at all. They were simply being themselves, as close to how they’d always been as one could manage with marriage in mind.
Her parents nodded, seeming thoroughly amused by the situation. Rosalie, for her part, was nervous. Would they like her? Would his mum approve of her? There was only one way to find out she supposed as they stepped through the doorway. Aimid was the first to greet them, and while she had seen the girl around school, she hadn’t had much opportunity to get to know her. Now, Rose couldn’t help thinking Taran’s sister looked very pretty in her simple white dress, and she could tell by her parents’ expressions that they approved as well. “Hi Aimid”, Rosalie couldn’t help but grin. “We’re very glad to be here.” It was her mother who spoke up next. “Yes” she agreed, “very glad indeed.” Rose felt a pang she hadn’t felt in a long time, she wished her mother and father had been able to have a second child, and she was reminded only for a moment of how badly she had wanted a little sister. Then she smiled to herself, if everything worked out, she’d have two.
When Rosalie first saw Taranis’ mother, she was somewhat awed by how striking the woman was. While her mother was pretty, and radiating propriety by second nature, the woman before her was beautiful in a way that needed no breeding, and in fact, would have been ruined by it. Rose took her offered hand in both of her own, and clasped it, smiling warmly. “It’s so good to finally meet you Mrs. Summerby”, she said sincerely, “Taranis has told me so many good things about you!” She tried hard not to giggle at his sister, who was introducing everyone at a mile a minute. Once the introductions had been made, however, it was the seating arrangements that held everyone’s attention. As she shrugged out of her coat, and thanked Taranis for taking it for her, she smiled at his youngest sister. “Hello Boann”, she grinned warmly at the younger girl. Her mother spoke up, “I would be delighted to sit next to you, dear” and she obligingly settled into the chair. “My, what fine manners you have.”
Rosalie knew her mother was complimenting both mother and daughter with a subtleness that Rosalie herself did not yet possess. She took the seat Taranis offered her, smiling up at him with the warmth of someone who feels all at once comfortable in a situation for which they had been extremely nervous. She nodded to Taranis, and whispered back, “she’s doing a splendid job. I can’t imagine this going any better.” When Boann took a seat in Taranis lap, her knee-jerk reaction had been to make a joke about that being her spot, but held off, it was hardly polite to mention, and might make the young girls a bit uncomfortable. She smiled instead. “I think that would be fun”, she addressed Boann, smiling. “We could make a slumber party out of it.” She turned to Taranis mum, “you have a beautiful home”, she said warmly, “I can’t wait to see the rest of the property later on.”
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:39:58 GMT -5
Conversation of the adults went from introductions to weather to politics and Taranis listened as before he had not so much. The muggle rules being forced through were not light things and he could see why her parents had been resisting. Yet how much could you do if you resisted to ease things for those people later down the road? Oddly, he found himself interested, stuck at that moment between childhood and adult with interests on both sides and wishing he was more child so he didn't have to make the decisions he thought were coming. Damn time for stealing away his attention. Aimid was doing much better then Boann who had devolved a bit with nerves. Usually she didn't act so simple which surprised him, but it was her nerves. He gave her a hug and a slight threatening tickle to make her loosen up and she smacked his hand playfully and giggled. "Brother's prerogative," he said to Rosalie as Aimid chimed in. "It is not, Taranus! You're supposed to treat us like princesses." He winked at her and said "Oh, so you make me a prince then by default? How nice."He stretched one arm out and clasped hers as if to kiss the back of her hand and then trapped her instead saying "Personally I think a Prince is required to make sure his sisters learn how to stay down to earth instead of getting stuff heads..." Boann chose that moment to giggle again as Aimid tried to pull away and then pretend she didn't care and listen to the adults more as if he was unimportant. He rolled his eyes in Rosalie's direction and said "If there wasn't company we'd probably already be in a tickle war by now. I see it as my responsibility to keep them amused as well."When the preliminaries had been finished and Aimid was sent to start pouring tea from the big copper hot tank, Rosalie's father mentioned the tour while the others got comfortable. Taranis half expecting this, picked up Boann as he slipped out of the chair and set her on the floor again; she accepted this so it was clearly something she was used to from her strong brother. "Yes sir," he said getting Rosalie's chair for her and then her coat as well while her father slipped his own on, "I think a few minutes out will be good." A glance at who was going to be left behind and he smiled mischievously. "I think we'll be even more outnumbered then before when we return though sir." Taranis got the door for them both, closing it before his mother could retort, which she hesitated to do in front of company. He felt, probably a lot like her father did, that at home he was in the minority. Slipping his hand in Rosalie's, he turned a kiss on her cheek again behind her father's back into an arm and arm situation prepared for leading off. "We'll just circle the back of the house..."
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:43:24 GMT -5
Rosalie listened absently to the conversation going around the table. Their parents seemed to get along rather well, but it was his sisters who amused her the most. She had heard enough about the politics regarding muggle policy from the DA that she could have entered the conversation, and done so rather well, but she was afraid of revealing too much to Taranis, who already suspected she was involved in something of that nature. So, she remained quiet, a rarity for her, and attempted to be an observer, wanting to memorize every detail of his home in her mind's eye.
She noticed Boann seemed a bit nervous, and she considered trying to draw the younger girl into a conversation, but Taranis got there first. She grinned wickedly at Taranis and winked at his sisters in turn. "I have to agree with the girls, Taran, after all, they look like princesses don't they?" She jabbed him in the side playfully, "or a frog", she said it just loud enough for he and his sisters to hear, and then smiled innocently up at him. "Only teasing love, you're much too gallant to be any sort of frog." She laughed softly, "isn't he girls?" She was really starting to like his family, the sort of chaos that reigned made her feel oddly comforted, as did the obvious love in the room.
She laid a hand on his arm, "oh but Taranis", her tone was intentionally somewhat dramatic. "Getting big heads is half the fun of being a girl, you wouldn't deny them their fun would you?" She widened her eyes at him and grinned. When the moment had passed, she nodded. "One day you'll have to list them all for me, you're responsibilities." She took a moment to survey the others around the table. They seemed locked in discussion, but not unfriendly. They appeared to be enjoying themselves in fact, and Rosalie breathed a soft sigh of relief. She took Taranis' hand under the table and squeezed. Everything was going to be all right, it had to be all right.
When her father mentioned the tour, Rosalie stood, prepared to find her jacket, but she didn't see it anywhere. "Taranis...I know I'm probably missing the obvious, but where exactly did my jumper disappear to?" She laughed when he spoke of being outnumbered. "Nothing wrong with being out numbered", she pointed out. "It makes things fun." She blushed when Taranis kissed her, taking his arm, she allowed him to lead her out the door. At the look on his mother's face, she chuckled softly. "I hope she remembers what she was going to say when we get back", she teased him. She nodded when he spoke, "Afteryou."
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:45:33 GMT -5
When Rosalie joined in on the girl's side he knew two things. First of all. she was going to fit in just fine. Two, he was now in trouble cause he couldn't get Rosalie back during the mini-war. "Frog? Really?" He made a move as if to shoot his tongue out at one of them and then she chuckled and took it back. Boann giggled and even Aimid looked amused. However she made a comment to him about swelled heads and his gaze came up to her, his eyes widening quite a lot, surprised at what she had just said. Aimid took the chance to reclaim her arm and move her chair over slightly closer to her mother who put one arm around her child while missing the point of what was happening. "Oh no, can't have that, their hair will get all poofy and need to be untangled constantly..." to which Boann giggled again and put her hands up to prevent him mussing her hair up. "Rosalie, I have four of the biggest responsibilities in the world in this very room," capturing her hand as he said "The health, well being, and support of my mother, these two precious sisters of mine..."He pulled her hand up to his face, "and you," and kissed the back of her hand getting all the attention from Aimid and Boann whose eyes sparkled. Slipping over to the door, he took down the three coats (his he had put over Rosalie's so it had been out of sight, and handed them to her father, holding Rosalie's out for her to slip her arms into, and then his own as they went out. Turning to the right he led his way into the back fields pointing out the grassy fields which right now were sown with rye and waving in the wind. "The rye puts nutrients back into the soil for spring plantings." He also pointed out the two old barns, one missing it's roof and the other with trees growing straight up through them. "Mr Daniels is pushing a loan for us right now which will help us restore the house I'm going to show you. The rent from it being finished should be enough to restore the barns and still keep the loan paid off. It's going to be tricky, but if we're careful it should make everything far better off for us within say, three maybe four years." He led the way towards the barn in the worst shape with the big trees poking up towards the sky.
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:47:09 GMT -5
She smiled when Aimid moved closer to her mother, it reminded her very much of being a young girl in her cousins' house when she'd felt outnumbered and overpowered. She raised an eyebrow at her fiance, odd how easily the word cropped up in her mind. "Poofy hair? Where do you get these crazy ideas?" She shook her head at him playfully. "But you'd love them just the same, poofy hair or not, isn't that right?" She smiled warmly at him, content to call a draw on their easy banter. Her breath caught a moment later when his tone suddenly turned serious. Four? It took her a moment to catch on, but she managed it a moment before he actually said it. Her eyes widened, and she blushed.
She wanted very much to kiss him at that moment, not for the show, not for the contract, but only for herself, for him, for them, just because she could. Making sure her parents were otherwise occupied, she winked at his sisters before pecking him lightly on the lips. "Thank you Taran, for making me feel very very special. That may be the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me" she whispered in a barely audible voice. She knew his sisters would probably give them both grief for kissing in front of them, but it was worth it, because for once, she'd kissed him for no other reason than because she wanted to, because she felt like it. She accepted his helping her into her jacket, and bundled it around her. "We'll be back soon" she called, "or at least eventually" she corrected with a laugh.
She was awed by the sheer size of everything. The barns he showed them were in obvious need of repair, and she felt warmed by the idea that she was helping to make that happen. She was giving him a way to care for his family, and she was struck suddenly by the thought that she might be a part of that family one day. "I don't think I've ever seen so much open space" she told him. "Its all so...big". She heard her father's deep chuckle in the background and jolted. She'd momentarily forgotten his presence. She turned to wrinkle her nose at him, but found it difficult while still keeping her hold on Taranis' arm. "It sounds like a good solid plan to me", her father sounded impressed, and even somewhat releived. She knew even though they hadn't spoken about it that he was worried by the idea of his only child being in a serious relationship at the age of sixteen, but he and her mother hadn't been much older when they'd run away to be together, a fact she'd remind him of if it ever came up.
"I almost hated to leave your sisters", she said after a few moments of silence. You didn't tell me they were such fun."
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:48:34 GMT -5
"Of course I would! They will always be a very big part of my heart," he said giving Boann a big hug which she obviously loved. Boann's eyes were delighted when he got a kiss, but he had the forethought to put a hand over her mouth as he guessed what Rosalie was about to do. After all, Boann had been the one to say how Rose must have the hots for him in front of his mother. "Well that's a shame then. I'll have to make up for all those past louts you have known. Hmm, a sweet comment seven times a day you think, Boann?" But he whispered in Boann's ear before he released her mouth "remember not to say anything in front of mom," to which her eyes darted to her mother. She nodded just before Taranis put her down. Her excitement of the fields made him laugh softly before he answered her; it was always enlightening to hear descriptions of things you were used to seeing from another's perspective. "Well you might be used to having neighbors within speaking distance too. Too many rocky areas up here for that. We have not a big place though, it's small by muggle standards which is fine with me. Besides, if things go well I'd like to move to animals instead of crops and this place would be a good size for that."Around the back of the barn he stopped in front of a white door which, very noticeably, had bolts to lock it from the outside as well as the inside. "This door has been muggle-hidden so only we can see it and it's the easy access so Sir, if you can just shut it behind you please?" Stepping inside he picked a muggle flashlight off the shelf and hit it on the end before pushing the button. This one was built like a small lantern so shown plenty of light around this part of the tunnel. "This summer I get the trace off and these things will get put away for when my sisters are older." The tunnel was cut of stone much like the front walk and went straight with three sets of four stairs down before they came to another door. Opening it, he turned off the lantern and put it on a return shelf. They were standing in front of a rock face, the sound of crashing surf off to the right. He led the way helping Rosalie over the steps at the end as they came out on the stairs. "The rock edges keep muggles in boats from seeing the door or the walkway here. Obviously you start to see where all the family money went now..." he led the way down the stairs which he had cleared the other day of loose stones until they got down to 40 feet over the surf where the sound of it coming in was clear. To Rosalie he whispered "Just imagine that sound under your window to fall asleep to..."Smiling he turned to her father and said "Apprently he believed if we had a really big manor house with an outstanding view we would make more money." He sighed for the lack of vision of certain ancestors. "Most of the money went into all the magic he placed on the house and it's landing, but it's the most secure empty frame probably in all the world." Walking over to the box he tapped it with his wand and the bridge sprang into being, it's cables secure in both sides and solid under the feet. Slipping his arm back in hers he made his way across pointing out where the surf was directly below their feet and the rocks it sprang up against. It was too hard to talk till they reached the other side (midway up the cliff a small grassy field) though and stepped onto stone pavement. The frame sprung into view in an instant around them worth a gasp from both of his guests. Set back into the cliff, the big white house towered over the small porch they had just stepped onto, the house hidden from sight except by those in on the secret. "It's just a frame unfortunately, though the stairs, floors, and walls are edged in place. It needs a roof and finishing work in every area, but he not only got it unplottable, but no one can appirate in either. Nice and safe, come on..." Leading the way inside, you could see up through the frame through the floors to the top of the carved out cave space. Leading them towards the back of a space designed for at least thirty rooms minimum he pointed at the back wall. "At least he took care of heating and for that I bless him." Two large fireplaces burned away with magic flames leading into a series of tiled chimneys which, when the rooms were filled in, would keep the floors and rooms heated year round to a much more acceptable level. Smaller fireplaces scattered around the frame would be for the individual rooms. "We figure there are four full apartments by level. Rent out the first three each for long term and summer vacations and the top level is for me and my sisters if we don't get married," he squeezed her hand slightly as he said it "And the rent should bring in twice at least what the farm makes now. That should allow us to be comfortable, give mom space since I wouldn't ever try to force her out of her home, and get the whole place in much better shape."Turning back to her father he said "Feel free to walk around if you want, sir. Maybe you'll want to rent a space before anyone else has a chance at them," he grinned at him feeling comfortable at the moment on his own turf. Of course, if he got married to the young lady holding his hand, then his sisters would have to choose the lower apartments to live in. He would need room for kids, of course. He smiled at Rosalie and asked her "What do you think? Want to go see anything in particular?"
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:52:07 GMT -5
Rose listened intently as he spoke. She could hear the hopefulness in his tone, and it pullled at her heart. She opened her mouth, but her father beat her two it. "What sort of animals?" he wanted to know. Rose, who was curious as well, nodded. Rosalie saw the white door, and immediately knew what it was, or what she hoped it was. When he spoke of it being muggle hidden, she was certain. Her father nodded to Taranis' request. "Certainly" he replied. She hadn't been aware there would be stairs, and stairs in the dark no less. She motioned for Taranis and her father to go on while she navigated, but Taranis being himself, simply helped her down.
Her father nodded to Taranis' comment about money. "Indeed, although as I see it, rather handy to have everything hidden from prying eyes. He must have been a very private man, you're grandfather." Rose nodded, and blushed without truly understanding why. Her father gave her an odd look, as though he knew something had been said that he hadn't heard, but thankfully let it pass. "As I said", replied her father, "private man." He paused a moment before adding, "and maybe a wee bit paranoid as well." Rosalie cut her eyes at her father and made a face at him. He shrugged, and winked back. As they stepped over rock and grass, Rose found herself strangely comforted by her surroundings, maybe living on a farm wouldn't be as hard as she'd originally thought.
When they came upon the frame, Rose inhaled sharply, it was huge, much bigger than her home, and certainly more ornate. "Bit inconvenient though, not being able to apparate", she pointed out. "How far does that extend?" As they walked through, Rose could tell that the house would be beautiful once it was finished, if a bit large for her to ever have a prayer of finding anything. When he said the word 'married' he squeezed her hand and she smiled back before she thought. She could feel her father's eyes boring holes into the backs of their heads, and she sighed, knowing he'd be having a talk with mum later. "I think I will have a look around, if I'm not back in an hour, I'm lost and someone ought to come find me." He winked at them both before wandering off.
Rosalie spoke in a soft voice. "If he did get lost, could we find him?" She smiled at Taranis, "this place is amazing, its going to be beautiful when its finished. I can't wait to see it." She took his other hand in hers. "You've done an amazing job of making them feel at ease today, I'm so grateful." She laughed softly to herself. "Your sisters are a handful", she told him, but her tone was warm. "I think we're going to get along splendidly." She took one more look around the room, spinning in a small circle to take it all in, before she headed over to the fireplace. "I've only seen magical flames once or twice before this, floo not withstanding", she confided. She stood there, content to watch the flames dance before her eyes. "Do you ever wonder if we're doing the right thing?" she asked softly, lest her father hear. "With everything I mean?"
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:53:57 GMT -5
He answered her father with "Well I've been looking at different kinds, but I've got plenty of time to think about it. Everyone up here has sheep. I want something different, preferable a type which had fur for spinning and using and you can get cheese from. Seems to me that's always a popular product." He hadn't decided yet of course and his mother hadn't been able to narrow it down much either, but that would still be a few years down the road. "It's a big change and one I think would be a better use of the land, but I don't want to rush into it either. Of course, my sisters want friendly sheep," he laughed low. After the tunnel as he spoke about the money her father made a comment he couldn't really say much against honestly. He still felt the need to defend his crazy ancestor somewhat of course. "Well I know it was back when the staying out of sight of the muggles was still big time important. You can't build a big house in Ireland without everyone hearing about it which I suppose explains some of the paranoia. You can appirate to the grass over there, just not inside the house. Since you have to be with family to be able to get inside from there, it's certainly secure enough." He didn't have to add how much safer it would be during the war around the time he was a toddler. That was clear in her father's eyes; this was a place that the followers of Voldemort wouldn't have been able to get into at least. "I suppose when both my sisters are married with three families under one roof it may not feel so crowded, but I guess he was planning on being able to have all the relatives over back then. He did have three sons so it could have gotten big." As her father quiped about sending for help he smiled and said "Go right ahead, sir, there are some nice views off the top floor, stairs are in the middle." He followed her as she explored, keeping a hold of her hand as they were probably expected to. "Oh yeah, it's not hard. Just have to think of this place in levels and there are only four." He mused looking up to the next floor through the gap of the stairway. "It's funny. I never thought I would see this place done and knowing I'm the one whose going to finish it feels weird." He laughed at her statement about his sisters, knowing it was very much true. "Of course they are, silly, they take after me." She did a pretty spin enjoying the space and then headed towards the fires which he had to admit were the most fascinating things about the place. He didn't know what the spells were, but the multi-colored hues were always a draw. As Taranis stepped in behind her, he slipped his arms around her middle from behind and just held her there, enjoying the moment. "Aimid told me the Slytherin commons have a green fire which runs all the time. I've always wanted to see that actually, told her one day she'd have to take a picture for me."He did glance around the space then and heard far above them somewhere the sound of footsteps. Knowing her father wasn't nearby he spoke softly as well. "What's to think about? We both know this is going to work, I'd be proud of having someone at my side as smart and tough as you and even my sisters are looking at how pretty you are. Most..." he didn't say the words knowing she knew what he meant anyway, "don't even start out with anyone but strangers and we're miles ahead of them. But if you think this situation you were talking about is going to get much worse, then their's really no other options for any of us now are there?" If she really thought the Death Eaters were about to start causing more trouble in the world even with their leader gone supposedly, then everyone needed to be careful about their appearance to the world, right? Taranis wasn't sure himself that it wasn't just bad people causing waves, but he had a feeling she knew more then she was telling and he'd have to trust her to tell him when the time was right. He slipped one hand around hers and tilted it up slightly where only the vaguest memory of the scar was and ran a finger over it lightly. In a few weeks he was going to have the same experience; would he really be able to hold on to that belief things would be all right? It was going to be rather tough. "Well, at least we have each other's backs..." he said partly into her hair kissing the side of her head.
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 16:56:27 GMT -5
Rose nodded as she listened, and her expression turned thoughtful. "If you'd rather not have sheep, what about goats? I think they fit all of those criteria." She smiled when he mentioned his sisters. "Is there a such thing as a friendly sheep?" she asked curiously. While she didn't know much about farm animals, she had been under the impression that they weren't particularly domestic. She found herself thinking she liked his laugh, and that she was glad he laughed often. As he spoke of his ancestor, she found herself impressed by his desire to defend his family, it boded well for the possibility of becoming a member of said family. Her father was nodding emphatically as well, and she could tell they were beginning to see eye to eye a bit better as the conversation progressed.
Rose watched her father walk away, and then nodded to Taranis, "all right then" she answered. She stuck her tongue out at him after his comment about his sisters. "That they do, love, although I'm not sure they're quite as difficult as they're big brother." She winked at him, grinning. "I think there are ways of doing it without magic as well. You can turn flames blue and green using sea salt", she informed him. "Dad used to do it when we'd build fires on the beach. I used to sit there forever as a kid, just watching the fire dance." She nodded her head, looking somewhat reassured. "I know you're right" she agreed, "its just, I never even considered an arranged marriage before, and it seems like we went from considering it to going through the steps over night you know?" She moved closer to him, and laid her head against his chest, winding her arms around his waist. "Of course we will", she answered softly. "Always."
She smiled, and stood up straight so that she could look into his eyes. "This place is going to be wonderful Taranis, and I'm glad I could help." She took his hand, "are there any windows in this place? I bet the view is amazing?"
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Post by Shava on Feb 6, 2016 17:01:15 GMT -5
'Yes' he thought to himself as he saw her father thinking about things, 'see me as a guy with a real future. As mom says, a guy with 'prospects' which has to be important for knowing if your daughter chooses me she will be in good shape.' When he got the final news at least this mitigating factor would help them out with the reception to the contract. Whatever he could do to make this all easier to swallow. "Well...I had thought about goats, but I've been thinking more about alpacas recently as odd as that sounds. Their wool would certainly be a hit in the local market which is used to only sheep. I have a good two year to research though anyway. Although if I go with Alpacas I don't even need barns technically."He looked very interested in the salt part of her story. "Oh really? Now that sounds interesting. Well there would be smaller fireplaces through the suites, these big ones warm the floors and walls mostly, especially the bath areas to keep the stone from ever feeling cold. A good use of them I think." Taranis made a mental note to check into that idea. Being able to change the colors of a fire without using magic could be a cool trick for using with kids. Or possibly sisters. When he kissed her head, she turned in his arms and put her chin on his chest looking up at him while slipping her arms around his middle much as he had his around hers now. He had to remember that this beauty in his arms had also hurled some good bludgers into his path by merely leading them into him. She could be as dangerous as any girl he knew, maybe that was why she was beginning to feel more... ...exciting. He also reminded himself her father was somewhere around so he couldn't kiss her neck the way he'd like to right now. "You know the biggest problem with the holidays is that we never can feel safe enough to practice being closer. Such a shame as I would like to do something right now I don't dare," he said very softly, though he was sure her father could not hear them at the moment. As she stood up straight and looked him in the eye he kissed her on the end of the nose and laughed out loud. "You have surf on the brain, I can tell!" Slipping his hand interlaced into her fingers he led her over a few rooms to one which placed them above the main doors on a staircase and a small ledge for sitting in front of the open window space. "I think he meant this for watching out for people approaching, but I keep thinking thick cushions and a nice big window seat." Slipping his hands around her waist he easily lifted her up onto it so she could lie down and look out the window up close. Crawling up there beside her he actually sat in the window frame sideways, knees up so she had the most of the room. Down below was the soft and short expanse of grass ledge before the drop off and you could hear the pounding surf below. "Once the farm is updated, I could see getting a small cave built in below this with a closable front for parking a good sized boat I have in mind. But you can hear the surf and from up above you can see the white tops of it as it hits the rocks. Maybe when we both have the trace off you'd like to help me explore down below to see what the underface of the cliff is like?"Sensing eyes he turned and seeing her father just coming down waved one hand slightly. "See some good views I hope? It has a lot of good potential in it, gives me high hopes. Which level do you want to rent? I can put in a good word for you with the owner, she's probably willing to make a steal of a deal..." He smiled broadly, knowing the views in the summertime in particular were tempting.
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