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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 18, 2009 2:22:10 GMT -5
Folks? Celebrate? Felicity? Dinner?
He should've known enough to nip this in the bud a long time ago. When he first banned the two of them, that should've been the last time he had to deal with that boy. After everything, even that day, he was asking for Felicity's hand in marriage? And what was more, he asked Felicity before him or Meadow, and told his parents she'd accepted? This boy was pressing his luck a little more each day and Ib Hjort wasn't putting up with it much longer!
"I think that would be a lovely idea," Meadow answered before Ib could choke down his anger in order to spit it back up again mixed with choice words. Eyes bulging, he turned to look at his wife as though she'd gone mad with her illness. A lovely idea? Their little Felicity? Engaged to that oaf? "I think it would be all right for her to join you for dinner with your parents, as long as they agree it would be all right."
Turning her eyes to look at Ib, Meadow waited for his response. Dinner, he'd promised... "Ib? Aren't you going to answer?" Nodding her head, meaning he was supposed to answer yes, the man shook his head with determination.
"Absolutely not! I will not allow that...boy to do that to our daughter!"
Two pairs of brown eyes turned with concern to look at the man. "Dad? It's only dinner..." Sure, he didn't like very much when Drew actually took her out, but, this was slightly different. His parents would be involved.
"Ib! Felicity may go out to dinner with Drew and his family, in order to celebrate his acceptance to the Academy. Yes?" a threatening bite touched the older woman's words.
"Dinner...?" the man looked completely bewildered, brought down quickly from his high on anger. "What- you mean...? Just dinner?" He still didn't like the idea.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 18, 2009 2:31:44 GMT -5
Drew hadn't actually mentioned asking Felicity to his mother, but figured that if brown-eyed girl had already accepted, Dolores Thornton could not rightfully uninvite her. Then again, Drew's parents had been wanting to meet this girl almost as much as she had been wanting to meet them. It was probably what concerned him the most.
He relaxed a little when Mrs. Hjort agreed, feeling that getting permission from them was the first obstacle. Almost as soon as it was cleared, though, her father threw it back up. He flinched a little at being called that boy, but it didn't surprise him much considering his mother called Felicity that girl. What concerned him most was the rest of what Mr. Hjort had said. Do what? What was the man expecting him to do with Felicity over dinner with his parents? Confused and slightly worried, Drew decided the best courses of action was to keep his mouth shut and let the Hjorts work it out. He really didn't want to contradict or correct her dad and make things worse.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 19, 2009 20:16:36 GMT -5
"Yes dad..." Felicity answered, her mum adding the somewhat the same response. Just dinner, kind of. Really it was dinner with his parents, which was more than just dinner. It was kind of like the dinner. She would finally, after such a long period of time, be allowed to meet the parents who gave birth to, and raised, such a wonderful person. "Dinner, with Drew's parents. You promised I could so I could meet them, remember?"
"But your mother's all ready made dinner, Felicity." The sentence was spoken with a tone of finality, an even more determined look on his face.
"Ib, you've promised your daughter she could go, let her go. Dinner isn't for anything special, it's just a meal tonight, so let her go." Meadow gave a rather shockingly stern look to the man she loved most in the world, unable to believe she was going through this with him when it'd been easier with their other daughters.
Fleeting looks between the two women, and Ib wasn't sure he liked that Felicity had managed to wrangle a promise from him. Why had he made such a stupid mistake as to promise such a thing? Because he hadn't thought they'd be coming back to London so soon, thought he'd still have time.
Reluctantly, after bring pinched by his wife, he nodded, but kept up a continuous glare at the boy.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 19, 2009 20:47:18 GMT -5
Drew knew that the meeting between his parents and Felicity was long overdue, but circumstances seemed to prevent it... not to mention that it seemed to become a bigger deal the longer he put it off. If Mr. Hjort had promised that Felicity could go, Drew had made a similar promise and this seemed like the best time to honor it. He really didn't think it would be a proper celebration without the girl he loved.
Under the glare of her father, it would have been easy to take the invitation back, saying they could do it another day, but Drew already knew that postponing the meeting any longer would only cause problems. His parents couldn't stay in London forever and who knew when an opportunity like this would come along.
He did feel kind of bad for Mrs. Hjort though, having already made dinner. He had especially been looking forward to that practice cake he had helped her with. He didn't dare ask, but hoped that maybe there'd still be a little left when he dropped Felicity back home.
"So... I need to go home and get cleaned up then," Drew said carefully, still feeling nervous under Mr. Hjort's eye. He wasn't sure if speaking at this point would just make the man angrier, but Drew really needed to get things finalized now that it looked like Felicity actually had permission. "Can I... pick you up in an hour?"
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 19, 2009 21:29:34 GMT -5
Turning her full attention to Drew, Felicity nodded, stepped behind him and started vigorously nodding her head at her dad so he'd give Drew permission to return in an hour's time for her. The man hardly moved his head, but it was enough for Felicity and she tugged at his arm to move him back toward the living room. There were still a few details she needed to work out with him over the dinner, as she couldn't properly get ready without knowing.
"Come on, I'll see you to the door."
As soon as she was out of earshot of her dad, she smiled happily and turned to walk backwards. "Drew? Since I'm guessing we're not going to celebrate at a place I'm used to going to, what should I wear?"
Normally jeans and a light sweater worked nicely, but not knowing his family very well and not sure how they celebrated, she wasn't sure how to dress. Should she ask to borrow a skirt or dress (though she hated the prospect)? Dressy pants and a really, really nice sweater? Or would jeans and a shirt be just fine? And how should she wear her hair? Shoes? Would what she chose to wear affect how his parents thought of her? Cherry had read a magazine once that said an outfit could make or break a first impression.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 19, 2009 21:54:07 GMT -5
Drew rushed a thank you to her parents as he was led to the door and it was kind of interesting that the question she asked of him was awfully close to what he had been thinking. He really didn't care what Felicity wore, but knew that she would probably feel more comfortable if he gave her a little help.
"It'll probably be a place where I'm going to have to wear a coat and tie," he told her, not feeling comfortable flat out telling her what she should or shouldn't wear. Had they been back home, it probably wouldn't have mattered. No one really thought twice about it if you wore jeans to a nice place or even the theater. Too bad they weren't in California. "What will you be comfortable in, because I'll tell my mom that I want to go to the Leaky Cauldron." He didn't think that would go over very well, but it really wasn't about where they were having dinner, it was with who they were celebrating with.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 19, 2009 23:08:54 GMT -5
The blonde had figured he'd have to dress up wherever his parents chose to go. She couldn't imagine them wanting to go some place she was used to going, not when she knew they had a much higher standing in society than her family did, and were much wealthier. But, even if he had to wear coat and tie, what did that mean for her? Skirt? Dress? And how dressy? Hopefully not full out formal, but she was sure dressier than she was used to. Maybe as dressy as Celina's birthday party had been that one time? And if so, she was going to have to call Lindsay to borrow a dress because most of Cherry's were not quite so...well, the kind of dress not to meet the parents of the love of your life in.
"Drew, your parents are the ones who want to celebrate, and I'm being invited, I don't get say in where they take you. And you know your parents much better than I do, so how should I dress? I mean, if you're wearing coat and tie, I obviously cannot wear denim. So, I'll have to borrow something from one of my cousins, or do you think that dress I wore for Christmas would work? Would that be too dressy? Would it be wrong to wear the white considering I can be clumsy and might spill on myself?"
That was nearly the only dress she owned that fit, but Lindsay had a few nice ones she could wear. And Cherry's weren't all bad, just more summery kind of dresses, not elegant off to meet the parents kind of dresses.
"And should I do something with my hair?"
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 19, 2009 23:26:00 GMT -5
Drew only wanted her to feel comfortable, but he knew that part of feeling comfortable would be if she wore the right thing. "Yeah, that... or even what you'd wear to church?" he suggested, even though he knew the church skirt wasn't as dressy as what she wore to Celina's party. But he also knew she hadn't been entirely comfortable at that party. Then again, maybe it was the rest of the guest list. He hoped this occasion would go better.
"My parents want to celebrate, but it's my big deal, isn't it?" he said, though he knew it didn't quite work exactly like that. yeah, he'd proabably get a say, but he doubted his mom would agree to the Cauldron. "I... I don't want this to get all weird... okay?"
She asked about her hair and he could only think of one thing. "You don't have to do anything... but... I really liked the curls..." he answered carefully, wondering if that was too much to ask.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 19, 2009 23:47:07 GMT -5
"My parents wouldn't let me wear my church skirt out," she told him seriously. "I have it for church only so I can't really spill anything too much on it." And he said her Christmas dress would be all right, but maybe she shouldn't because it was so white? Her mum would murder her dead if she spilled anything on it. Perhaps something Lindsay could run over quickly? But, she had a wide selection of dresses. "But how dressy?"
The only jewelry she would wear would be the matching set from her boyfriend and dad. But perhaps that would go overboard? She wanted to impress them, but she didn't want them to think she was trying too hard either. "And yes, it is your big deal, but your parents are the ones who want to celebrate it with you, so they're the ones who are putting it on, technically, right?" But when he said he didn't want it to become weird, she gave him a curious look. "How do you mean?"
There were many ways she could think to take it, and none were very positive.
"I know you like the curls," she answered with a knowing smile, remembering all too well how he had tugged at them constantly when she dressed up for him like that.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 20, 2009 0:14:05 GMT -5
"Just something like that," he answered with a slightly confused look. If he got to choose for real, he probably would have picked the red one she had worn that first Halloween, but he knew that wouldn't fly. "Felicity, you're going to be fine with whatever you wear. I'm sure of it." He had enough confidence that she'd pick something that was just right.
"I just... I mean, I think everyone's really nervous about this," he said, hoping it wasn't coming out wrong. "I want you to meet my folks and I'm glad we're finally doing it now, but I just wish we could all do this a lot more casually than over a dinner at some restaraunt I probably won't even like."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 20, 2009 0:30:09 GMT -5
"All right," the blonde answered solemnly. The thing was, she didn't have that confidence in herself, barely able to make anything look well together. When she got all dressed up, it was usually due to another (or a handful of others) throwing an outfit together for her. Most of the time, if she got to choose, she would wear mismatched clothing, except most of her clothing was all the same--sweaters, shirts, and jeans.
Nervous hardly began to cover how she felt, and she believed he knew it as well. But the way he spoke concerned her as well.
"Drew, if you don't want me to, I don't have to go tonight. I mean, if you'd rather I met them another time, we can do that instead." And that was what he'd just said, he'd prefer a different scene, which would only come at another time. But how long were his parents staying in the area and would there be time for another meeting before they left?
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 20, 2009 0:56:18 GMT -5
"No!" he answered quickly, ready to kick himself. He knew he was going to say it wrong and just make things worse. Yes, he wished it would be something more casual, but he still wanted to do it. They had all been wanting this and he just wished it wasn't so stressful.
"It's just, I know this is a big deal, and I really want to do this now, because I feel the longer we put it off, the more stressful it gets," he said, hoping that he wasn't just digging himself into a deeper hole. "I just wish we could all pretend you guys had already met or something... that this wasn't the first time."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 20, 2009 12:00:18 GMT -5
"You want to have me meet them now only because of the stress level later on if I don't?" It didn't sound right. What was so stressful about meeting them? It'd likely be more nerve-wracking, but she didn't think it was stressful now, nor would it be later. And why should he be stressed about the situation? He all ready knew his parents so had no reason to be stressed over it.
"But I haven't met them yet," she pointed out. "And that's half the fun of it. I'm nervous as anything to meet them, but that's how it should be, isn't it? I mean, I'm finally going to meet your parents, after all this time and I'm very excited about it all. It's just...I want to make a good first impression and I don't want to wear something that's not dressy enough for what they want to do for you. And boys can wear coat and tie nearly everywhere and not be out of place, but for a girl, well, we can easily be over-dressed or under-dressed, and I don't want that to happen."
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 20, 2009 20:54:14 GMT -5
So maybe he was using stress to describe things when she was feeling nerves. He thought they were similar emotions, but yeah, still different... and her term was probably better.
"Maybe I'm not saying it right," he told her, frowning at his mistake. He thought she had been worried, but now he saw that it was excitement. He was feeling worried because he thought she was, but her clarification made him feel a little better. "I just thought it was a bad kind of nervous and I didn't want you feeling that way. I just want you to be comfortable because I know any first impression you give will be a good one." Heck, Felicity had stormed out of his aunt's house within an hour of meeting her and Aunt Abigail still liked her.
"Just... just if you wear something like you wear to church, or what you wore to Celina's party, I think that would work," he wasn't sure because she was absolutely right. He could wear a coat and tie anywhere and be fully appropriate. If he was underdressed, it wouldn't be by enough to worry about and if he was overdressed, he just ditched the tie. Girls had it way rougher.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 21, 2009 3:47:27 GMT -5
"No, I'm not feeling a bad kind of nervous, I'm just really excited and I don't want to mess up. I mean, they're your parents, a really important part of your life and I want to make sure to do everything I can to make a good impression. I just...well...I mean, they'll be practice for when I might maybe meet your grandmum's and your grandad," she told him, really wishing she could meet his grandmum and grandad Thornton, knowing that he'd told her before his mum's mum would be more difficult; not only to meet but to impress. "And I want them to like me," she added much more softly.
She knew how people could judge, and what a person wore could really set another person off. While she didn't normally care what anyone thought, she really wanted to make a good impression on his parents, wanted for them to like her, because she wanted to be with Drew for a long time, even longer if they could, possibly forever. And if she started with a bad first impression, it would be harder to climb the pole to being liked; and if what he said about his mum being hard to impress was true, she really needed to try.
"But what I wear to church and what I wore to Celina's party are vastly different," she answered. Celina's party had been very formal, she'd even borrowed a dress from her best friend. "What if I wear something kind of in between? Like the dress mum made me for Christmas last year that I wore to the party you held? The white one? Or I know Lindsay has a dress that's similar to the one I was forced into for my birthday that time..." What a horrible experience that had started out to be, but thankfully it had gotten much, much better. It was the first time Drew told her he loved her.
"Maybe I'll just ask her to bring a couple over and have her help me choose, she'll know better than me. And while she's here, I'll have her curl my hair, the way you like it." Grinning up at Drew, she hoped she really would make a good impression, if only to make him happy.
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