(1937-10-03) Checking In
Details for Checking In
Summary: Gideon and Niamh check in on the newly returned Edwarlinda and question her about her sudden departure. The interrogation, however, turns a bit and all seem to be in the hot seat at least once.
Date: 03 October 1937
Location: Elegant Townhouse, London
Related: None
Characters
EdwarlindaGideonNiamh

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Elegant Townhouse London
Tue Oct 02, 1937 ((Tue Oct 02 19:51:49 2012)) (B,5 SW)


It is a fall evening. The weather is cool and overcast.


A corner townhouse at the end of a row, Eddie has a small front yard that wraps around into a side and larger back yard with an elegant black iron patio set on a white tiled patio. The whole house, inside and out, is done in classic black and white with accents of colour on the walls and furniture - mainly shocks of red and emerald green. The townhouse has three levels, the first for living and the second two with bedrooms. The living room has a large black and white Persian rug across the floor and dark, plush furniture with carved wooden legs. There is a fireplace and a bay window overlooking the square beyond. The walls are mostly covered with black book cases filled with all sorts of texts, more magical than not. Through elegant white doors, there lays a dining area done in dark cherry wood. Beyond the dining room there is a smart kitchen done with a black and white checkered pattern.
Upstairs, there are two guest bedrooms on the second floor. One is done in deep blues with dark wood and clearly is meant for male visitors. The other is all blush and creams with a canopy bed for the female persuasion. A bathroom is shared in that hallway, neutral gold and cream with red linens for a flush of colour. The final floor is Eddie's bedroom and master bathroom. She's got a dramatically large bed made of dark cherry wood with posh cream curtains hanging down. The cherry wood continues in all the furniture of the room, including a large vanity with a velvet lined stool in front of it. The vanity is covered with all sorts of muggle make up and potion bottles. Windows look out off of three sides of the room and are done with heavy burgundy curtains that can keep out the light when needed. The room is usually in a bit of chaos, expensive clothing tossed all about and her wardrobe hanging half open. A pile of books rests on the bedside table as tall as the lamp next to them.

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After the work day, Eddie thought about going out, but she's still feeling the exhaustion from that odd vacation. So, the woman has decided to just go home and relax. At least her back is feeling a little bit better. She's changed out of her work clothes already and into an elegant night dress with a matchin satin robe overtop. Standing in the kitchen now, she's doing her best to brew up some elegant white, creamy stew with all sorts of expensive fish in it. She's not necessarily succeeding. "…Should have just picked up some food…" She mutters to herself across the cigarette she's smoking as she stares at the pot.

There's a knock at the door, followed by an opening of the portal. Calling up, Niamh steps into the foyer, "Lindy! Are ye here, finally?" She's not bothering to check if there's a gentleman in; if there is? Well.. they've dealt with that before! Wrinkling her nose, she calls out, "Tell me you're not burnin' somethin'!" before she turns about to look at Gideon, her voice lowerin'. "Aye, she's here.. an' in an odd mood, 'parently." Neither feeling energetic enough to go out for dinner, nor lazy enough to do take-out.. she's.. cooking? "Tell me tha' it's not some elf makin' grievous messes!"

Gideon arches an eyebrow at Niamh. "You deciphered all of that from the smell? You should be a Hit Wizard." He shadows Niamh, following her lead and touching nothing. This is his first time in Miss Malfoy's home, and he has not yet been welcomed by the occupant. So, for now, it's cordial formality.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately for hilarity's sake, Eddie isn't at home with a gentleman. All alone, just herself, her cigarette and her wand, she narrows her eyes at the expensive disaster on the stove and then steps back out towards the open living area so she can flash Niamh a tired smile, "Yes, yes, I'm home… bloody hell, a girl goes on vacation for just a few days and the world ends! And… I… I don't know what I'm doing to something. This stew isn't working. And it has lobster and everything in it!" Lobster, as in, Eddie bought an entire lobster at a muggle market and put it into the pot, rubber bands still on it's claws and all. She then double takes in Gideon's direction, considering if she should be embarrassed to just be in her robe, but then deciding she simply doesn't care. "Gideon. Do you want some burnt stew? Maybe Niamh there can use it for some potions."

Nia exhales and approaches her friend to give her a long, tight hug before she offers a smile, "Ye sit down.. I'll sort that out, 'right?" Twisting around, she gives Gideon a happy smile, if not a touch reassuring. "She's home." Then, it's back to Lindy, "I missed ye.. an' was worried."

Passing now through to the kitchen, Nia squeaks and coughs, waving a hand at the smoke being generated by the milk/cream concoction, "Oh, Jesus, Mary, Joseph.. Lindy!" Is she going to be able to save it? First, she pulls the pot off the active burner and starts blowing into it to quell the bubbles.. "What.. lobster.. oh, the poor thing!"

Gideon nods in greeting to Edwarlinda, choosing not to answer what he assumes is a rhetorical question. "Malfoy. You had a lot of rumours flying about the office." Nope, right to business for the Inspector, it seems, though his tone is casual and conversational.

The hug from Niamh is enjoyed, mostly, but when the woman's fingertips tighten against Eddie's back, there is a sudden stiffness from the blond and just a touch of pain hissing across her breath. That still somewhat hurts. "Gentle…gentle…got my back good on vacation… " And then she lets the younger woman go to poke at the failing lobster and stew in the kitchen. "…I saw some muggles cooking lobster once! They just dropped in a pot! So, I figured…" Eddie offers feebly, but it's clear she had no bloody clue what so ever what she was doing in the kitchen. She then blinks back to Gideon, frowning, "…Rumors? Like what? I closed a case… really, just cleaned the suspicions up. I was stupid for thinking anything was wrong… just paranoid. It's done now. So I figured I needed a vacation so I'd stop jumping at shadows. It's nothing."

"Gideon.." Nia's voice comes in through the kitchen, "I heard tha'.. not working, remember?" It's a gentle remonstrance, but maybe it's simply that he can't talk about rumours from work without sounding as if he's working?

Her tones continue that Irish sing-song lilt from the other room, casted loud enough to hear her, "Oh good Lord.. I.." and it's back to the pot. "Ye put the lobster into boiling water.. an'.." She's not entirely sure the lobster can be saved, truth be told. But, she takes out another pot, fills it with water, and sets it on, with a wave of the wand to help with the boiling. "Potatoes…" She is Irish, and a seafood stew has to have potatoes. And carrots. "Ye didn't say aught to me, no' that ye had to? But, it was odd that ye'd left.." when she needed her friend! "But I won't begrudge ye a vacation. I've had one away from the City, an' it was quite relaxin'.."

Gideon shrugs. "I'm sure it began with someone saying you'd gone missing, someone repeated it, and soon the whole office was buzzing with nonsense." He smirks a little at Niamh's admonition. He remains standing — hovering, really — still in his coat, but his fedora is respectfully in his hand. "It's good to get away now and then," Gideon adds to Niamh's commentary about vacations. Of course, this is coming from the man whose last vacation was a suspension.

"Boiling… water? I mean, that's boiling, and there is water in it…" Eddie calls to the kitchen, standing in the archway between the kitchen and the front room where Gideon is. "I didn't hurt the thing, did I? I just wanted to kill it. And eat it. But not hurt it. You… you know what I mean!" She exclaims with a bit of a huff, suddenly looking rather guilty over her mess in the kitchen. Then the insistance about her vacation makes her sigh, "Yes… I.. I don't quite know why I didn't tell anyone. I guess the mood just got into me and I had to go… I was drunk for most of it, only half remember what happened!" She admits with a little laugh, "Wish I could remember what in hells I did to my back. Perchance it is time to lay off the firewhiskey. For a few days, at least." And then she looks back to Gideon and sighs, frowning more…"I…I should have left notes for the office. Goodness, I must have needed that vacation. I think I was going half mad working on that ridiculous case."

"Aye.. ye boil the water first, then ye put the little bugger in.. but take off the elastic from his claws.." The chances are good, however, that the lobster is already dead. "An' once tha's done, or rather, while it's bein' done, ye work on the rest.." Oh.. never mind. "You sit.. I'll cook it."

Nia glances out of the room, watching Gideon, and the smile is easily reflected in her eyes as she does. "Take your rest, Adamantus.. it's like bein' at my place, this is.. a'least for me it's." Therefore, her offerances like like Eddies! And speaking of whom.. her brows rise to hear of the time away. "Drunk for the lot of it? Tha's not like ye.. an' when I've got this goin' an' can leave it, let me look at your back."

Gideon arches an eyebrow. His curiosity has the better of him. He lowers his voice (so Niamh won't hear him talking more about work). "You said the case is closed now? Can you discuss it?" He glances over to Niamh, giving her an endearing smile (yes, Malfoy, he smiles), but first raises an eyebrow to Eddie before making himself comfortable. It is her house, after all.

"No, no…don't worry about my back. It's not that bad. Though, really… I should go get dressed, if we're going to have mixed company. And shower. And… not look like I'm ready for bed. Bloody hell, Niamh, you should really warn me when you're bringing colleagues by!" Eddie insists, huffing a little bit, though it's in clear affection, before she moves for the stair case so she can disappear upstairs. She blinks to Gideon, giving a weird little smile, "No, no… nothing to discuss. We've just all moved in from that. It was nothing. I was jumping at shadows. No one did a thing and I've cleaned it all up now… so, no worries!" With that odd response, she then flutters upstairs as quick as her feet will take her without lingering for other questions.

"I'm no' as good as Keen, but I do know m'way 'round." As she deals in potions, she should know something of healing. Though she's now got her hands full with dealing with the chowder. "Colleague.. mayhap fer you, but.." he's a bit more than that! "I've missed ye.. an' there's a lot to catch up on!" And she's still concerned. It just sounds so odd, and hopefully it does to Gideon too- even if she did chastize him for bringing out the Inspector. "Hurry back.. an' remember it's just me and Adamantus here. No' some guests."

Finally, Niamh exits the kitchen; everything is in hand for the moment, and she goes to her friend's bar. "I'll get ye a drink.." as well as Gideon, and she raises her brows, "What would ye like?"

Gideon doesn't try to disguise the skeptical expression he gets at Eddie's strange explanation. To his mind, there is obviously something more there that the Auror doesn't want to talk about. But it will have to wait. It seems he's been welcomed (sort of…as a colleague, anyhow), so he goes to hang up his coat and hat. "A drink? Ah…anything is fine." He has no idea what Malfoy keeps in her liquor cabinet, but he's betting it's far more expensive than he is used to.

Nia's brows rise at the 'anything', and tuckes behind the bar, setting the ice out in two small tumblers before she pours an amber coloured liquid- which could be anything. "Scotch.. on th'rocks, then." Of course, it ruins a perfectly good scotch, but she can't drink it unless it's diluted. "Unless ye'd like the 'rocks' left out?"

Watching Eddie depart up the stairs, her expression changes to one of concern, and her head shakes slowly. "It doesn't seem right.. she.. an' the memory loss, an' the runnin' away on vacation. But, you're right t'stop for the time bein', an' think of'nother way to get in?"

"No rocks," Gideon says firmly. Dilute good Scotch? What a sin! He steps up to the bar, where Nia is apparently tending today. "I dinnae like it," he agrees, about Eddie. "I'm nae convinced she's telling the truth about it. It feels to me like she's covering something…or covering for someone." Maybe he's saying too much, but he's come to trust Niamh and her perspective.

Nia shakes her head and passes the drink across, his scotch undiluted. Lifing her own 'rocked' scotch, she offers, "Slainte.." before she takes a sip.. and coughs. It's a little harder than she usually takes, but.. she's going to drink it! "I don' think that she's even aware of wha' happened, if anything." She keeps her voice low so as not to carry. "She'd honestly tell me, but.. it's like she can't say.. an' so, makes up a story tha' even she doesn't believe. Is confused o'er.." Exhaling, she presses her lips to a fine line. "D'ye know what I mean?"

Gideon takes a sip (Hades below, that's good), and stares at the drink for a time, pondering. Finally, his eyes shift up to Niamh. "Do you want me to look into it? If you'd rather I leave it be, I'll respect that."

Again, curls fly as she shakes her head, and she looks a pleading look. "Don' leave it.. please? I don't know enough about things like this, an' I adore her. she's been a mate o'mine since school, an' we've been close ever since. Better than sisters, even." Nia looks down and away before taking a deep breath and lifts the glass for another burning sip. Finally, after the second, she shudders, "How can ye drink this?"

Gideon nods soberly, reaching over the bar for her hand. "I'll see what I can find." Her shudder at the drink gives him an amused grin. So the Irishwoman can't handle real liquor, eh? He takes another heavy sip of his own. "That's fine drink, there."

It's not overly long before Eddie comes waltzing back down the stairs, dressed to impress as always, even if they are just sitting in her own house. She's in a gorgeous dark burgundy dress at the moment, with a hip hugging pencil skirt and a low cut back and front that leaves most of the injuries on her back bare. All the more comfortable. Her hair has been pinned into a few loose blonde rolls at the top of her temples and though she's not bothered with shoes, she is wearing silk stockings with seams up the back. "Much better… now I feel more alive, I am sorry about that. What did I miss? We can just send someone to get us food! There is a boy down the street that runs for me all the time."

Don't stare, Gideon. Hades, did Malfoy have to wear that? Wait…is that the sort of thing she'd take Niamh shopping for? Focus, Inspector! "Ah…I think Niamh has something going in the kitchen."

There's a blush that creeps up Nia's face at his grin and she straightens, mock defensive. "Take out some fine Irish whiskey, an' I'll see t'ye." It's a laughed challenge, and she takes one more attempt at the drink, and it manages to get down without a shudder, though it does burn. She can't help but put a hand to her throat and coughs a laugh. She's going to finish it.. or-

Oh hell.. Eddie.. and she looks to Gideon, her brows rising. A exhale comes and she shakes her head. While she's never been jealous of her friend, of course Eddie's always been the prettier, while she's always maintained 'cute'.. with a big brother over the shoulder. "Lindy, the soup'll be done soon enough. The lobster is done, unless y'want that with butter an' garlic. Then, we can just keep the cream soup with potatos, an' I'll dig for more bacon."

Eddie wears the dress like she was just in her robes as well. It's nothing, a casual, comfortable piece of finery, not something she could go out to the Natrix in. She pulls another cigarette out of her silver case that ever lingers in her pocket and sticks the filter between her lips. "Excellent. You both should stay here as long as you can, you know? Niamh is a better cook than I and I like the company! And you can make as much noise as you like on the second floor, I won't listen in, I promise! There's a sound dampening spell between the floors for just that purpose." She winks to Gideon before waltzing into the kitchen and taking a deep breath. "Oh, that smells lovely. You're perfect, Niamh…never leave, please? And whatever you think will taste best, make it! I trust you!"

Gideon blinks in astonishment. Did Eddie just invite them to have carnal relations in her guest room? He gives Niamh an incredulous, questioning look. "Did she really…?" He murmurs after Edwarlinda has moved into the kitchen.

"Lindy!" Niamh blushes crimson, and she dips her head as the colour reaches to the tips of her ears. She can't meet Gideon's eyes for the moment, but manages to raise her gaze after the embarrassment passes. Well, most of it. "I.. can't believe.." and she comes out from behind the bar, a hand placed upon Gideon's arm as she passes. She's got to take control of the kitchen, and in beginning to follow, she exclaimes, "Jesus, Mary an' Joseph. Lindy.. wha' have ye done t' your back?" And please god, don't say that it was from rough sex.. please.. "Tha' doesn't look healthy.." But she doesn't have a salve with her. "It hurts, don'it?" Which was the reason for the wince.

"I'll make dinner for us first.." and she passes her friend to enter the kitchen. "Lobster. Butter an' garlic. Then, potatoes, bacon, carrot.. an' we can pour tha' over rice.. with the lobster on the side. Ye go out, an' keep my gentleman caller company.. an' please don't give him any ideas," That last bit is hissed in a whisper, "He actually may like me, after a fashion. An' Keen hasn't gone after him."

The older woman laughs huskily, quite warmly, as Gideon expresses his confusion over what she implied. "Yes, I did." She winks to him, but then Niamh is all over about her back and Eddie just sighs a bit. "It's not that bad, just some scratches… I suspect I was quite drunk one night, slipped down some stairs, or something! It happens! Or, hell, maybe it was wild sex. If it was, though, I'm disappointed because I don't remember a lick of it!" Eddie states loudly, with just a bit of a huff. The scratches don't look like fingernails, though. They look like something natural might have done them? Rocks or coral, perhaps? Quite strange. And they're already well and scabbing over, clearly didn't happen in the last two days. The pain is as much Eddie being a drama queen as the fact they're still stinging her. And they are all over her back. Eddie gives Niamh's hand a squeeze. "See? Fine. I'll get us all drinks and we'll be ready for dinner!" She insists warmly, flouncing back into the front room. "So, Gideon… what is your poison of choice? See you got a glass there…" She opens the rest of the wet bar. It is…extensive.

Gideon settles on a stool at the bar, nursing his Scotch, and pretending he doesn't know Niamh is talking about him when her voice drops. At Edwarlinda's return, he lifts the glass of Scotch demonstratively. "This is grand, thank you." Big surprise there: the Scot likes Scotch. He watches her curiously for a moment, examining the marks on her back. "So, you're back at work, then?" Work, work, work. Gideon has a one-track mind.

Niamh sighs; none of them are getting any younger! "Have ye talked with Sloan yet?" Oh, she can imagine how happy he'd be- okay, how much grumpier he'd be is more to the point. She clucks and leans a bit, "I'll take a Floo back t'the shop and get ye some salve. That way, ye'll be right comfy on your back." She can give it as well as take, see? "I see.. that may be fine.." but the fact her memory's gone? "Now.. shoo.. Adamantus may want a refill.." And she knows she has to finish her scotch. It's making her lightheaded already!

She gets to work completely now, pulling the now red lobster from his bath and cracking it. Then, she's stirring the cream pot, the potatoes cut and tapped with a wand such that they're not raw when they hit the milk and cream 'broth'. Then, herbs.. and she begins to hum as she works, occasionally singing a few notes, only to slide back to a hum. It's an Irish drinking song; lively and has her moving her feet as she cooks. It won't be too much longer!

"Yes, yes, I saw Sloan last night. You all over react in the worst of ways, you know?" Eddie insists rather roughly, a grumble to her husky voice. She's not used to people freaking out over the smallest of vacations. She then does fully return her attention to Adamantus, though she's not ever really thought of him by his first name. That's strange. She scoops up the bottle of scotch and, finished or not, she pours him out another several fingers with her free hand. Her other is still holding that cigarette. "And yes, I went back to the offices today. They're the ones that gave me proper vacation, you know, but they wouldn't give it forever! Why wouldn't I be back at work? Goodness, I took a weekend, that is all." She huffs out with a brief, casual laugh, "And how were things around the office this weekend?

Gideon arches an eyebrow at Eddie's over-explanation. "It was just a question, Malfoy. Small talk." He shakes his head. Niamh is right. Talking about work is a bad idea right now. "So, Sloan? MacDubsithe, right? Are you two seeing one another?" Gideon is very much out of the loop on the social dynamics of Niamh's friends, even those he's worked with for years. But Eddie is already providing him with quite the education about how she is away from the office!

It's not that she doesn't trust Eddie, and it's not that she doesn't trust Gideon.. it's just.. work. Why couldn't either of them have a hobby.. like quidditch? Or.. the muggles' more favourite sports, football and rugby? Still, she's got to get everything just right, or it won't be right. She pauses in her work, and looking out to the two of them, she exhales and takes the now slightly watered scotch, and.. drains it. After a coughing fit, she takes a deep breath, and looks.. pleased with herself.. and finishes working on the dinner. Spoon in one hand, wand in the other.. and now, it's a matter of plating. (Rice was the easy part!)

"Hope ye are hungry." Because once again, the Irishwoman's made food that is both.. expensive in tastes AND stick-to-the-ribs filling.

"Oh. Well… I don't suppose I always small talk about work. There are so many more interesting things that are NOT work to small talk about!" Eddie laughs warmly, now moving to pour herself out a drink in turn. Since scotch is what is going around, that's what she pours for herself. She has no real care about what she puts past her lips, as long as it is alcohol. "And yes, MacDubsithe… I… I don't know what we're doing to one and other. Snogging on occasion. That's really quite pleasant. But he gets so stuffy over the fact I am rich." And he's not. Apparently, class issues are coming between them? She takes another sip of her scotch and then looks to Niamh as the food is being brought in. She gives a low moan of approval, "That looks… perfection, Niamh. I am never letting you move out. I promise, you won't be able to hear Sloan and I snogging either. That spell goes both ways!"

Gideon rises to join the ladies for a meal. "It's difficult for a man who comes from lesser means to step into the life of a woman who needs for naught," he states bluntly. "Most of us want someone to take care of. If you dinnae need him to take care of you, he cannae be the man he needs to be."

Nia's got the food out now, and sets it on the table, along with her emptied glass. She's walking fine, but once everything is down and in place, she takes another ice cube and pours an Irish whiskey, one that Sloan drinks, and stoppers up the bottle. A tentative sip comes, and she rolls her head back, smiling. That's the thing. Good Irish whiskey. Nothing too fancy.

"Lindy.. an' weren't ye tryin' t'set me up wi'him just two weeks ago? 'Dance wi'her,' ye told him.." She rolls her eyes, but there's no accusations, no nothing in her voice but affectionate teasing. "If I were anyone else, I'd be cryin' up a storm about ye ruinin' m'chances wi'the man. But.." And Niamh looks to Gideon, her smile warm and her eyes dancing.. the attraction obvious to any onlookers, that is, Eddie, should she look. "I know too much o'Sloan.. an' it's all I care t'know."

A laugh sounds at the compliment, and she stands behind her seat, taking another sip of her whiskey now. "I do have t'go home on occasion t'the shop. I have Keen to be takin' care of. An' I think our days of all livin' under one roof is done for. We're grown."

Gideon's words take her attention, and her expression remains the same- a woman who knows what she likes, and what she wants. "He could very well have a point, Linds.. Men do like t'take care of us. Look at Keen?"

The woman settles down into her chair at the little table, clearly not made for guests and rarely used. She still sits on the edge of the chair, not quite trusting her back. She's gotten accustomed to just not leaning against it. Long legs cross and she takes another deep sip of her drink as she considers Gideon's words about Sloan. That actually makes her frown, clearly thinking it through. Apparently, that'd never really occured to her. "I… I guess, perhaps, but he's stronger than I am! He can take care of me in other ways, it's not just money…" She sighs and then looks back over towards Niamh, wrinkling her nose, "I wasn't exactly… setting you up. I just wanted you all to dance! Besides, you sure as hell better have another dance partner now." She glares in Gideon's direction, clearly implicating everything.

Gideon just smirks at the glare, giving nothing more away. "Does he know that he can take care of you?" Gideon holds out a chair for Niamh, getting her settled before taking his own seat. "You're a strong woman, Malfoy. You dinnae give off the impression that you need anyone. Just the opposite. I dinnae ken much about women. But I know men, and a man wants to provide and protect. He cannae provide financially, and you're more than capable of protecting yourself. If you want him to look past your wealth, you'd best make sure he knows how he can be necessary."

Awww.. Lindy's got to know Nia adores her, and when she sits down with Gideon's aid, she reaches over to put a hand on her friend's arm. She blushes soon after and nods, her words a murmur, "Takin' our first steps. There isn't any Charleston goin' on." There.

Now, however, Nia knows her place at the table, and she does a quick blessing, her hand flying over her for the Sign of the Cross before she reaches for the rice, then the cream sauce, or what's turned into the cream sauce, and a little bit of lobster. "It's always nice t'hear a man's side o'things. We're always left t'guessing.. or mostly." She takes hold of the whiskey, and takes a sip.. one longer than any given the scotch.. and she replaces it, her face flushing a little with the alcohol. "Now that's makin' sense, Lindy. What I think we aught t'be doin' is thinkin' on how we can convince Sloan's the man t'protect ye."

Well, this all was awkward. Eddie isn't used to being the one feeling awkward in a conversation. Normally, she makes other people feel awkward. It's a part of her style, keeping people off balance. Still, the pair has a good point and it's not one she's ever really thought about before. She sets her smoldering cigarette on the edge of her plate so she can pick up a bite of the food — sans prayer — and dig in eagerly. Hopefully eating will give her enough time to process her thoughts about this matter. Finally, once she's swallowed, she sighs, "I… Wouldn't be want an equal? A partner? Someone who can… can take life on just like him? Bloody hell, you men are complicated. How do you protect Niamh, Gideon? She's a lady with her own business, career… generally… well, I guess she's not an Auror… Huh…" Eddie really does look baffled.

Gideon swallows his first bite with a lifted brow of approval at Niamh. "It's delicious." He savours another bite before addressing Eddie. "I make certain Niamh knows I'll turn London upside-down to guard her from harm. I'll grant it's different with two Aurors. So I suppose you have to decide for yourself why you need him, first. You cannae very well let him know until you know for yourself."

"It's no'only tha'," Nia chimes in softly. Her whiskey is now half-drained, and set close to her. She's got a fork in hand, and 'mmmms' as she takes her first bites, and looks pleased with herself. She's going to count this a victory, and she finishes a few more bites before setting her fork down and retaking her glass. "There's somethin' of a.. way. Like.. ye are completed.. in some fashion. Like there's somethin' to give that he lacks, an' he can see where ye are lackin' and moves to fill the void." She takes another swallow of the heat, and.. if asked? She can't feel her toes any longer..

The blonde is about to say something more, but as Niamh goes on about her having something to give to him, and vice versa, Eddie's brows both crawl up her forehead thoughtfully. She takes another bite of her food, taking a few heartbeats to study Gideon and Niamh in turn, her expression giving all sorts of implications between the pair. "And in learning to waltz…what have you two found to…fill each other?" Eddie asks earnestly, even if it might be a bit soon. She's curious, and good at putting her friends in awkward situations.

Gideon sits up, eyeing Edwarlinda critically as he tries to decipher if she's making fun or not. He spares a glance to Niamh. She trusts Malfoy, and confides in her. There's no sense keeping secrets about things Nia will likely tell her anyhow. "We've shared our private places with one another." By the stoicism in his eyes, he has no idea how that might sound.

Eddie isn't making fun at all. She meets Gideon's eyes dead on for several heartbeats, her lips resting in a neutral, curious line. She genuinely seems to wonder what the two have found with each other. And she's also probably probing just a bit deeper for Niamh's sake, so the young woman can know just how deeply the man feels for her. His responce drawns an earnest sort of a smile from Eddie, nodding in approval, "That…that's certainly a good start. I have hopes for both of you. Niamh…she's closer than any of my sisters. She deserves a good man." Oh yes, he's getting The Talk from Eddie now. "But… it seems you are that sort of man. So… Good." While his statement might have sounded dirty, for once, Eddie didn't take the bait. She's more interesting in ensuring Niamh's on a good path with Gideon here.

Niamh knows enough of Eddie to know that it really is a question in earnest. And, if it can be embarrasing to others? All the better! That look, however, causes a blush to rise, and the glass is tilted. Hazel eyes shift towards Gideon, and the way he worded it, well.. that brings a great deal more pink to her cheeks. "We.. ah.. well.." but when Eddie comes in again, she exhales in a sigh of relief. For only a moment until word comes up about .. being protective of her little sister. "He's a good man, Lindy. A kind, solid man.."

Gideon gives Niamh a grateful look, reaching over the table toward her, palm up. "She does deserve a good man. Better than me. I dinnae deserve her, for certain." This is a side of Adamantus never seen around the Ministry. The hard-boiled detective with the steely gaze has given way to a stern-but-gentle, soft-spoken man. "But she makes me better than I am. For that, I owe her more than I'll ever be able to repay."

The moment of Eddie being serious, for once, seems to linger for just a bit longer. Gray eyes flicker back and forth, nodding gently in agreement to Niamh as the woman confirms he's a good man. Eddie isn't actually doubting that, for once. She then looks back to Gideon and lets him finish his words, a slight smile perking across her full mouth. "Well…good. As long as you do not use that as an excuse to break her heart, we will all be perfectly fine. Now, Niamh's made us this lovely dinner… It's time to eat." And with those evaluations done, Eddie takes one last drag of her cigarette, killing it in the glass tray on the table and now truly digging into her meal.

The whiskey is finished and she puts it down before extending her hand and places her hand upon his, curling her fingers around his. "Nay, Adamantus.. not better than ye are.. just.. givin' ye the chance t'be who ye are.. are t'be." Niamh considers her fork but decides against it, instead she takes a free hand and waves at herself briefly, "Is it hot in here, or is it me?" She blushes at Eddie's words, and glances towards the bar before finally taking up her fork with her off-hand. Giving his hand a squeeze, there's a smile all for him before she retrieves her hand, and passes the fork over to her good hand. "An' you, Eddie.. did ye take note about the feelin's of a man?" It's a sly grin that goes with it.. "Wi' Sloan, I mean.."

Gideon nods silently, apparently accepting of Eddie's assessment of him…and her declaration of eating time! The food is too delicious to let cool over conversation. He digs in, letting Niamh handle Edwarlinda now. He's said what he felt needed to be said, and that's that.

A critical gaze is given to Niamh with an arched brow and curious little smile from Eddie. "Oh goodness, Niamh, how much did you drink? Eat, yes, before you pass out and Keenan blames me! I want to get you relaxed, not off your head!" She laughs a bit more, alternating her own bites of food with deep drinks of scotch. Eddie, apparently, can hold her booze better than others! "And yes, yes, dammit, I listened. I just don't know if…if that's the issue with Sloan. And I don't need any man to protect me, dammit…so… I hope it's not."

"Two glasses," comes defensively. "O'er ice." Niamh lifts a hand to raise 2 fingers- "One scotch an' one whiskey. A proper whiskey." One that Sloan drinks. Okay, she's a little.. lower class than Eddie too. But! "I don' mind bein' a bit tipsy. I can walk, an' if I get sleepy, I can jus' go upstairs." Remember? That sound proofed floor?

She takes a couple more bites of food, and finally, she rises for another glass of whiskey. "Adamantus, do ye wan' another glass? Or somethin' for afters?" Brandy, to sit in the chairs and chat? "An' as far as Sloan is concerned, ye are worryin' too much.. a man likes equals, partners.. and eventually there'll be strengths an' weaknesses found. But, ye have t'show yerself. Bein' honest an' open."

"I'm fine, Niamh. Thank you." Gideon's already working on a refilled glass of Scotch. Probably best that he keeps his head about him, if he's going to retain Eddie's friend-approval (not that it seems she'd mind if he dragged Niamh upstairs). He has little more to add in regard to Sloan. He knows the man less than he knows Malfoy.

"So… since torturing each other with personal questions is now over… I need to briefly bounce back to how this whole situation started. What's going on with these criminals who may be threatening Niamh and are threatening you, Gideon? Do I still need to strengthen the protetions around this place? Niamh is always guarded where she's going, right? If not, we should set up a schedule." Eddie is an Auror, after all, and used to protecting others from dangerous elements. She might have disappeared a while, but now she's back and clearly ready to tackle the challenge. Even if it makes her disappearance all the more strange.

Niamh's on her feet, and when the discussion begins about how to best protect her? She turns about half-way to the bar and exhales in an audible sigh. "I am still in the room, an' I think I'm fine. No more in danger now than .. any other time." *cough* Finishing her route now, she refills her glass with Sloan's Irish whiskey, three fingers, now minus the ice. "I have the constable 'round the shop, but I don'think that it's necessary an'more." As the alcohol affects the woman, the thicker the lilting accent becomes. And a bit.. sloppier? (In a cute sort of way!) "I would hope tha' they'll keep t'their promise of.. no' doin' a thing against ye."

Gideon arches an eyebrow at the any other time. But she could just mean the common dangers every person faces walking out their door. "The people in question are the Montague family. Specifically, Wolfgang Montague and his thug, Brendan Sweeney. Both have given me assurances that they dinnae want trouble, and will stay away. So far, they've been true to their word. But I'd like to keep the Constables on watch a bit longer. At least until Ogden pulls them. Just to play it safe." Gideon's tone gets more businesslike as he goes on, now talking shop with a fellow law enforcer. "Piero Montague, the father, has always been the real threat, and he's not involved in this. Not unless he's still holding Sweeney's leash, which is possible. But Sweeney…says he has information for me. I'll speak with him, but not without backup, which I've recently secured."

Edwarlinda tilts her head a bit more to the side, her eyes narrowing. "I'd like to go along on that meeting, if possible. To give you back up, and to have a chance to really evaluate the threats to Niamh. But…" She then looks over to her tipsy friend and gives a bit of a softer smile. "I think I should maybe get her up and in bed before she trips over her own feet. I do thank you for joining us for dinner, Gideon. We can discuss this more in the office, perhaps?" She asks as she stands up, walking around towards Niamh's side. "Come on, luv… up stairs. I'll clean the dishes, at least."

And there. It's devolved into work conversation, and the potions maker is, well.. she's not out of the loop. Her best friends are Aurors, and now, her gentleman is an Inspector. But, she's fine with simply being in the room with the conversation. The glass.. but.. but.. "I'm fine.. 'onest.. ly." Now, the giggle comes out, "I'm no'tired." She looks to Gideon, her knight in shining armour? And there's the question, the idea. "'e c'n take me home?" Or, would it be better to be poured into bed here? "I'll not be in harm's way.. I swear it.." Even as she puts in the complaint, she puts an arm around her Lindy.

Gideon rises, nodding in agreement with Edwarlinda. "We can discuss it." He moves to Niamh, taking her by the hand, which he lifts to kiss. By now, it seems evident that this show of affection wouldn't even come close to making Eddie uncomfortable. "Get some rest, Niamh. I'm sure Miss Malfoy would like to talk to you further without my prying ears, anyhow." Placing another kiss upon her forehead, he releases her and gives Eddie a respectful nod. "Malfoy. I'll see you tomorrow." Leaving his dear Niamh in the Auror's capable hands, he departs, sparing one last glimpse back as Niamh is helped upstairs.

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