Toasting Who Again?

[lizareese]

It was time to celebrate, time to rejoice, time to sit back and relax. The ending of January had been a tough one, horrible and time consuming. If it hadn't been for the great timing of her mother, Liza would be out of job and probably out London. The take over at Hogwarts was thrilling, and yet tiresome. Though, she thankfully hadn't been caught up too much in the troublesome ending, and the Ministry hadn't questioned her absence as she'd left work almost a whole week before the set date. Liza's mutter had come into a bit of a problematic stage with her son and had requested the young woman's presence at her childhood home; thankfully the Ministry allowed her leave and her mutter didn't need too much help.

This gave the woman time to invest into Shaw and his ideas. The overall experience was nothing short of astonishing, and it only intrigued her more about the man. Every move was calculated, every whisper in the choir was heard.

However, she was back at work and was celebrating alone, somewhat. London was a large place and she only had a few spare cousins here and there spattered about, but she liked sitting at the bar in the Cauldron. One never really knew what information they would stumble upon just by sitting there, just as one never really knew what company would join by staying at the bar.

"I'll take a shot of Ginger Brandy and fire whiskey with it."

It'd been a long laborious time, and she was going to enjoy every minute of celebration.

(Shay/Open)

[Shay M. Loire]

It would have been the best time to get a nap in for Shay. As of then, work did not beckon-- neither with an owl or with her own willed desire, and she was quite alone in the apartment. For anyone who was stressed and under the weather, a siesta was the cure for something temporary at least. Yet the last thing she wanted was more "Me" time. The photographer had had enough of that. If anything, she figured a breath of cold London air and some warm butterbeer would solve her shallowed problems.

The reality was that things were fine. The people she knew were safe and happy, or at least less traumatized. Work was met with mediocre effort. And she was looking into joining a recreational league for qudditch. However, she just didn't think she could get over a few things or people. The top of that list had to have been-- of course-- Alfonz Jedynak. He had her mind thrown into a confusing turmoil, one she could only dwelve in if she bothered to keep to herself for too long. Due to circumstances in the past, she was wise enough not to let it affect and infect her mind, for she knew a least something about their downfall. It had to do with each other's pride.

Shay felt responsible enough to make it a lone trip to the Cauldron, where she could get in some liquids and maybe a small chat before turning to her apartment. In the pub her eyes met some of the usuals that seemed glued to their seats and... Elizabeth. She had met her, one of the neighbors in what seemed like months ago. She wasn't sure if she had imagined it, but she speculated that the woman looked slightly different, and maybe even jolly. Shay seemed to captivated with one look and followed a path to the Ministry worker, up until she was right next to her. "Hi there," she greeted, not too long before she asked for warm butterbeer. "It's been a really long time seeing you!"

[lizareese]

The Brandy was down and burning as it should, this was definitely a good time to celebrate. No work the next day, just the still-unpacked apartment and Tripe. Tripe was the best part about it, and while half the time she still had to dig through boxes to find what it was she was looking for because she couldn't seem to find where she'd last left her wand now and again Tripe made it all better. His little confident ways were the best, and he made good company. Of course, during the takeover, she had to find a place to care for him but due to her mother's wonderful timing, she left him at her da's in Ireland for the time. He didn't know she'd returned early to attend in part of the gathering at Hogwarts.

Just as she was ready to raise the glass of Firewhiskey to her lips, she nearly choked at the unexpected greeting. It was a good thing Firewhiskey had its own burn, otherwise she might have thought something was wrong.

Turning her blue eyes to view the caller, she smiled brightly in return. It was someone she knew. Imagine that, someone she knew in London that wasn't family, besides Shaw. "Aye, Halo!" she greeted. "It's been quite a long time, neighbor."

Truly too long it would seem. There had been a birthday celebration she had to decline the invitation of due to work, but the dark-haired woman still hadn't seen the other around in ages. Really, about the only person she knew that lived in the building was that strange man next door to her, and she still hadn't officially met him, he just acted very strangely sometimes at night. Though, it was almost relaxing to hear the poetry through the walls at times.

At least now she had someone to celebrate with that she knew, even if she couldn't tell of the reasoning for her celebration. "How have you been?"

[Shay M. Loire]

"Could be better," She replied honestly, but she thankfully didn't look like crap when she said it. Now with the takeover finding more distance in time for most people's minds, Shay could smooth out the hysteria she was feeling during the time.

Like a concerned mother, she was... It was no wonder why she was constantly a wreck. There was another day when she met a subject for a piece, where they engaged into a discussion in the events, and at one point they hesistantly asked her if she had a child there. It was hilarious to think it now, especially her! Barely out of prep school at 18 years old! But it didn't look like the guess was far off. The worry aged her deeply. It would take a lot more relaxing to relieve the set wrinkles and the sallow skin. With the winter weather she could create a little blush, but she did still have a face of diminshed joy, although that joy was still renewable.

"Things are looking up, though," she partially lied. Things were stable and Alfonz and her broke the closenes with each other indefinitely. Things weren't balanced, but they were managable. "And you?"

[lizareese]

Things were most definitely looking up. Elizabeth was celebrating, all on her own, and Shay showed up. Someone she knew, not well of course, but she did know her. What better way to celebrate than with someone you knew, even if you could not tell the person the reason as to why she dared to celebrate. It was a matter of the heart, her own, and a matter of her life. She was alive and free, unknown to those who had been attacked. An observer was how she partook in the game, keeping watch over every person, their moves and motives, but mostly Shaw's. He still intrigued the young woman like none other and she could not put a finger on the reason why.

"Me? I am doing quite well. Extremely well. Why, I do not think I could be happier if I met the love of my life right at this exact moment." Who would not be happy about having their freedom and not having to be on the run or in hiding? None were the wiser to her endeavors of the weeks in January. None.

"A bit of your finest Whiskey if you do not mind," she requested of the tender, having finished what was in front of her. Turning her attention back to Shay, she smiled again. It was a good day to be smiling. "I agree, things are looking up from where they have been. Pump a little bit of liquid into your system, put a smile on your face, and what could make you happier?"

[Shay M. Loire]

Everything about the woman´s demeanor did make Shay somewhat jealous. Here she played with her life, still a long way away from a completely satisfying life that she barely saw the things that made life good right now. In her excuses, though, she did have to blame the falling out with Alfonz. He had been the guy she had liked, one in a long time. Now, she was just... there. He stole her kisses, and she had very little to do in order to recover.

Her grim mood was minimal. She didn´t want to impose her sadness onto Elizabeth, not that it seemed remotely possible. Instead, she hoped the reverse could be done, where she could really let go for one night. It wouldn´t hurt any, right? "Well, it almost sounds like you did meet someone!" Her butterbeer was delivered and she sipped quickly. "What are the causes for celebration?"

[lizareese]

Met someone? The only someone Elizabeth met was Shaw, the beginner of the madness that took place. Why, he was the one who talked her into observing things, tempting her with words of promise about what was to come, intrigued her mind with ideas and intellectual conversations. In a way she had met someone, though not the love of her life, nor a love interest. Shaw was merely a man of intrigue.

"Causes for celebration?" Elizabeth inquired back, more to buy time than any other possible reason. "Why, does someone need a cause to celebrate the beauty of life? If one does, that is mine. I am celebrating life, celebrating happiness, celebrating everything the sun touches, every whisper of the wind. That is why I dare to celebrate." There was no man, no reunion, no happy ending thus far, it was just Elizabeth realizing how much freedom she had to make decisions. Whether the right decision or not, she was choosing which path in life made the most sense. So far, Shaw's leading light was making that easy.