just counting the days,

[Sebastian Fraser]

Sebastian groaned from behind the bar, watching a new group of wizard folk file into the pub, stalling at the entrance for a while, before weaving through the already packed bar to try and find a free table somewhere. The young man knew this night's odds were just getting worse and worse. It had been packed since early that afternoon, and even after dinner, people were still meandering in and out constantly. He had already had to evict several middle-aged couples from their tables, asking them to be seated at the bar, in the desperate need to find tables for other customers that wished to eat. The night had been long and the boy was growing bothered too quickly already. Generally, he enjoyed the hustle and bustle of a busy night at work, but this week he had just not been in the mood.

With Luce and him deciding to take a separate break, the stress of finding somewhere else to stay, and giving her space was building up. The boy had been a gentleman when it came to the issue of their apartment. The two adults both knew that this wasn't where it ended, but they needed space. They were both passionate, and incredibly stubborn, but at least Seb was able to leave the apartment with a few of his things, like clothes, instruments and such, and leave Luce to her own accords, while he stayed at the Leaky Cauldron while they were apart. It wasn't permanent, just until they could sort out something better in the future. Besides, if she didn't want to stay in that apartment, she didn't have to. He just needed space from the things that reminded him of her at the moment.

He had been so caught up in such thoughts, that Sebastian didn't realize someone was banging on the top of the bar. He flushed red, before straightening up and apologizing, before ask for their order. He went straight to work, uncapping the tops of four butter beers, and grabbing a couple of packets of peanuts for the bushy looking gentleman. Once he had left, Seb left the safety of his counter, grabbing a clean rag and walking around to the tables that needed to be cleared, while calling out for Gail to help him with the orders that he was leaving behind. The boy gathered each empty glass, covering it with his rag, and pressing the ends together so the glass disappeared into the kitchen. A nifty trick he had picked up when first working here, ti defiantly beat having to carry fifty odd classes and bottles back to the kitchen. Once finished, the youth seated another few couples, all looking rather wet. He assumed it had just started raining outside, knowing full well that this was one of the busiest nights he had seen the pub looking in a long time. Finally, returning to the bar, the boy sighed, before looking up and seeing a face that actually made him smile, rather shyly at that too.

[closed - Rael]

[forstner]

The search to find a replacement room mate was going as well as the weather outdoors at that moment. It was all wet. She'd interviewed, that day alone, an old hag, a man who looked so unsure of himself that he thought he would fall through a crack, a young woman who mentioned something about all night parties, another who wanted to not only move herself in but her boyfriend and their child as well, and then a middle aged gentleman who just seemed too perfect. Everyone was failing her test so far. Corey had been so easy, he fell right into what she needed, had the income, was a friend from Hogwarts, and was quite peaceful to live with. There hadn't been one argument between them, not even over who washed the dishes last.

Deciding, as the day looked rather nice, though she could smell rain was on its way, she pulled on a light sweater and a fishing hat before running outdoors toward her favorite pub. It would've been simpler to apparate there, but she was still afraid of using too much magic and having her mother track her. It wouldn't be very hard to find her, she knew, but she wanted to still be careful. Besides, it wouldn't rain for a while.

Only, how wrong she was...

A few minutes of walking, and the rain fell like an aeroplane had torn open a cloud. How lovely. Entering the Leaky Cauldron would be a relief, at least it would've been had she been able to find a seat right away. Instead, she stood and waited for an opening, anywhere, she didn't care. If it came to it, she would've gladly sat at anothers table just for the seat.

Thankfully though, a spot at the bar opened and the brunette slid right onto the bar stool, almost finding herself sliding right off and into the lap of her neighbor. After apologizing profusely, her face still shining from the down pour outdoors, she pulled her hat from her head and sat it on her knee. The hat had at least protected the length of hair, but her face and clothing looked as though she'd gone swimming in the Thames River before arriving for a bite to eat.

Taking a moment to look around, still ignoring the drops that dribbled down her cheeks and chin, her blue eyes scanned the crowd for any familiar faces, instead she turned back to the bar only to see a smiling face. Great service.

"Hi," she answered, wondering if he was trying not to burst out in laughter at the state she was in. And quickly, she wiped one hand down the side of her face, hoping not to look too obvious that she was trying to clean herself up, and in a hurry.

[Sebastian Fraser]

Looking at the girl, Sebastian couldn't help but feel sorry for her, as any right guy, or person at that, would. She was soaking wet, he could even see the rain running down her cheeks, though he was grateful that they weren't tears or the likes of such. That kind of situation would have been much harder to deal with than this one at hand. Seb had seen a couple of dozen people venture into the pub, all with drenched coats, though as soon as they came into shelter stripped of their wet jackets, and were settled by the warm pub. The girl before him didn't look so fortunate. She wore a fishing hat, now removed to cover her face, but it hadn't seem to do much. That and, though he tried not to study her too much, it wasn't something he had missed - her sweater didn't look all too warming.

Sebastian felt a little guilty when she actually spoke to him - he had just been standing there smiling at her. "Hey." he mustered, that smile still on his face. "My guess is that it's sprinkling outside?" god, way to state the obvious and look stupid, Seb. He was tempted to smack himself in the face right there and then, but resisted the urge. "Can I get you anything? A towel or something?" he asked, more casual and calm this time. Before she could answer, the boy was called from across the other side of the bar. "One moment," he apologized, walking to grab a grubby couple another round of butter beers.

However, before returning to the girl back down the counter, Sebastian made a detour to the back room near the kitchen, and grabbed one of the clean black hand towels that had been washed, and were generally used for wiping up spilt drinks. He was sure to pick a clean one, of which was the least tattered, before returning to the girl and offering it to her. "Don't worry, it's on the house." Seb added with a wink, his boyish smile coming into place. He felt so immature and lame, when before a nice looking girl such as this one herself. Heck, the fact that she probably even had a boyfriend was even more nerving, knowing that Seb should have been keeping his distance, only serving her drinks. But, what kind of gentleman would let a lady stay cold?

[forstner]

"Well, I didn't go swimming," she answered softly, still not sure if he was trying to hold back laughter or not. A hesitant smile sat upon her lips as she waited for him, or someone, to wait on her. While she really didn't mind sitting there with a bit of time to gather herself, it was hard to tell whether or not the guy was making fun of her, but his voice sounded so sincere she didn't think he was. And his question was asked, but she hardly had time to register when he disappeared, heading across the bar to fulfill another's order. In reality, she didn't mind too much, it gave her a second to try and stop her face from looking like she was melting at the counter; unfortunately, all she had were a sopping hat and hands that didn't do much.

Trying to make herself more presentable, her mother's voice in her head about her appearance even at such a place being inappropriate, Rael didn't notice the disappearance of the tender who'd been there a moment before he vanished, and then again before reappearing before her, brandishing a towel. Glancing up, dull blue eyes taking in his smiling face again, she laughed, nodded, and took the towel.

"My knight with shining glasses full of liquids," she replied, a small hope that he wouldn't be offended andthat he would get her lame attempt at a joke. Using the towel, she patted her cheeks and chin dry, in the process getting her sprinkled on nose. It felt so odd to be sitting at a bar drying off, but it beat chancing going to the loo and having her seat taken by one of those who'd entered and were still standing waiting for an opening like she'd done. There wasn't much she could do about the rest of the state she was in, other than to use magic to dry off, but she figured doing nothing wouldn't hurt either.

Not sure whether to hand him the towel back or not, she awkwardly extended it, but still kept it rather close, unsure if he wanted it back after she'd touched it. "Thanks?"

[Sebastian Fraser]

Sebastian couldn't stifle the laugh that finally broke through his boyish looks, as she dubbed him her 'knight with shining glasses full of liquids'. If she peered at him close enough, the boy could even been seen blushing. It wasn't an uncommon thing for Seb, he was easily embarrassed in situations, and didn't seem to cover them up as smoothly as other people did. More so, he tried to be modest about it. "I do what I can for fair maidens such as yourself." his crack at humor wasn't utterly dreadful, but he was no stand up comedian, that was for sure. He hoped that she didn't feel miserable herself about getting soaked - it was bound to happen to more than one person today, and Seb was just glad he could help out.

As she offered it back to him, he smiled at her, catching the young women's gaze again as he gently took it from her grip. "No problem. It's no spa towel, but I hope it worked okay." Seb assured her with a small wink, before tossing the towel underneath the bar, where it would be dealt with later. "So, what can I get you?" he asked, feeling his polite and professional manors come back to him, as the young man continued to study her face. She didn't seem awfully familiar, but there was something about her presence that clicked with Sebastian's mind. He didn't know if it was her corny attempt of a joke that he rolled with well, or her delicate, yet elegant body language. He just found himself continuing to smile shyly at the women, is all.

( sorry it took so long D: )

[forstner]

"Oh, so I'm not a special case?" she asked with a slow smile. Of course, with the amount of people pouring in from outdoors, and his job, it was likely this sort of thing happened more than often. Then again, she was sure he was more charmed by the better looking woman who entered the bar looking for a bit of a dry spot. So maybe she was a special case, she wasn't as beautiful as some, yet he was showing her a little attention.

"As long as it sops up a soaking face, it works well enough," was her reply as the bartender took the towel. Though her mother preferred only egyptian cotton, she didn't have much of a preference. "Something warm?"

Rael didn't have the strongest of stomachs for hard liquors, but something really warm like a cup of cocoa or coffee, maybe even strong tea would taste good. Especially after her most recent shower.