| Details for Sibling Cuddlry |
| Summary: | Rhyeline proves a cuddly little thing after returning home from the rather strained encounter with Phil and Thomas at Books Unbound. |
| Date: | Friday, November 22, 1938 |
| Location: | Rhyeline's Flat |
| Related: | Immediately follows Bookshop Under Fire |
| Characters |
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The procession back to Rhyeline's house isn’t a long one just the three really though it's cold so not many are out to watch anyways to take much notice. It seems that the lady is still on her feet but Graham supports her one arm around her the other carrying a bag of books it seems they have reached their destination and move up to the door
Rhyeline keeps close to Graham's side, looking tired and wilted, but no worse. She unlocks the door with a small flick of her wand. Once in the warm embrace of her small, quiet flat, she tells Graham that the books can go by the shelves. "I'll sort them later…" Peeking up at them both, she hesitates a moment before murmuring, "I'm sorry if I worried you… I promise, my heart is beating steady…"
Bailey follows Rhyeline and Graham into the house, securing the door behind them. She relaxes a bit once inside, knowing very well that there are security charms in place. Having an Auror around isn't bed for one's peace of mind, either.
Graham nods to her words and moves with her to set the bag down "I saw you reach for your heart and lean against the counter." the young man says frowning "I was and am worried yes though glad its not your heart." he says "Would you like to sit?" he asks he might feel better once she is. He gives a small smile and a nod to the bodyguard as well.
Rhyeline nods and moves to curl up against Graham's side on the small sofa. Peeking over at Bailey, she hesitates a moment before murmuring, "Would… would you like to sit with us?" Knowing that Bailey is often concerned with being professional, she adds with a small smile, "Being closer, you can keep a better eye on me."
The young man reaches out easily his arm moving around the shoulder of the other as she sits. The natural way it usually does Graham looks up as she speaks to the guard "Feel free I believe we are still a match for any danger so your not shrugging your duty." he says to her before looking back he smiles "I might have to borrow a few of those books when your done you know?"
"Yes, I'll send you the ones I liked best…" As Rhyeline nestles against Graham's side and soaks in the warm and quiet safety of her flat, she seems a little less subdued. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she is quiet a moment before murmuring, "I hope that the books I bought will help them… Though… Phil seemed… so distant…"
Bailey nods graciously, taking a seat nearby, but sure to leave herself enough room to maneuver in case Dark wizards burst through the windows, or a pack of wild monkeys suddenly stampedes in the living room.
"I would like that, thank you." he says about the books giving her a small squeeze afterwards Graham smiles though with her words he nods "She's under stress i'm sure that all the new things and current events going on is what it is. She still worries about you." he says to her about the distant friend. He watches as the other sits. "I promised Rhyeline cake next time so if your about i'll make sure we can all have some." he chuckles.
Rhyeline peeks up at Graham with a small, dubious frown. "When she saw me… she seemed to become the way I feel when- when I'm not sure of someone… And… and when Thomas came in, she- she brightened… though- I know that he matters more to her… but- she…" The little one's voice trails off as she can't seem to find words. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she lowers her gaze.
Bailey smirks wryly at Graham at the offer of cake, but her expression sours a bit at the discussion of Phil's behaviour. "She was cold. If I didn't know Rhyeline had a history with her, I might have assumed she didn't know Rhyeline at all."
Graham looks down to Rhyeline hugging her proper a moment "I don't understand it truly but you've done nothing to deserve that reception." he says to her easily as he doesn't believe that she does at all. "If you'd like i'll speak to her likely a misunderstanding which can be resolved simply." he looks to the guard "She definitely should know Rhyeline."
Rhyeline bites her lower lip and looks up at Bailey when she confirms what the little one had instinctively sensed. Peeking up at her adopted brother from within his hug, she murmurs, "If I'm not wanted there… I'd rather keep my distance… Because- it hurts… that's why I held my chest… it was hurting…"
Bailey frowns sympathetically at Rhyeline. "Well, no wonder. Nobody would like to be treated like that." She glimpses up to Graham's face. "I certainly hope it's a misunderstanding. I don't know the woman, but she struck me as awfully keen to point out her distaste for the Unity Party as well. Hardly necessary to do in Rhyeline's presence, particularly considering she was then the one to hush the conversation about the poster until later." Perhaps she's being a mite overprotective of her charge, but Rhyeline does tend to have that effect on people.
"I can understand, Bailey is correct nobody should have to feel that way and especially when that person was close to you until recently. "You arent required to go back there if you dont want." Graham listens to the guards story about what happend before he got there. He shakes his head "I don know what's gotten into her."
Rhyeline nuzzles closer to Graham and gives a small shake of her head. "It's alright… I… I don't want to focus on things that hurt… there's too much of that… I… I want to savor life… in addition to- to my work…" Looking rather shy, she peeks over at Bailey. "With… with people I /can/ trust…"
Bailey lifts her brow inquisitively at Rhyeline. It's a perplexing place they occupy, somewhere between a professional relationship and the beginning of friendship. But she nods, affirming that she is, at least, trustworthy. "You're in good company here, I think."
Graham looks down as the little mouse curls tighter to him. He gives her a squeeze before playing with her hair a bit while he talks "That's a good way to look at it, you have so much going on and many good things going for you no need to focus on anything like that. I think so too Miss Bailey." he adds listening to the other as well.
Rhyeline offers Bailey a shy, but warm smile. As her adopted brother begins to play with her hair, the little one's eyes drift shut. Resting her head against his chest, the subtle tension in her body begins to ease away. "Thank you… both of you… it means so much to me…" She opens her eyes a bit to look over at Bailey. "Both of you make me feel safe… and… so does Cassius… which- makes me feel braver… brave enough to not be so scared of the world… even though it seems to be catching fire…"
Bailey looks on as the "siblings" snuggle and display their affection so freely. There is a tightness to her features, but she quickly masks it with a strained smile. "I'm glad I can make you feel safe. You're not wrong. The world seems to be turning upside-down."
"It's a good thing to be able to feel safe somewhere at least." he realizes he's putting her to sleep as she rests against him, Graham wraps her up unless she will move when he stops playing with her hair. "Yes it's gone rather backwards and more quickly then I could have thought but as long as there are people to trust it's not a lost cause." he nods
Rhyeline doesn't quite catch the strained smile. Too sleepy- she gets caught by a massive kitten yawn. Then smiling up at Graham, she nods with such warm appreciation. "Thank you… so much… but- I think that… that I should perhaps… go to Berylwood now… Cassius worries when- when I'm not there…"
Bailey turns her eyes to the window, wearing a thoughtful expression. "We could send for Mr. Malfoy's carriage, if you like. I wouldn't advise Apparition if you're so tired, ma'am-…Rhyeline."
Graham looks to the other as she speaks seeming hesitent to move currently but it's not the tme for arguing the point or anything so he'll instead speak. "You've had a long evening, but if you must go I can side-along apparate you at least outside the grounds?" he offers "As Miss Bailey says not a good idea if you cant concentrate properly."
"I… I think the carriage might be best… Cassius has wards against most from apparating into Berylwood…" murmurs Rhyeline. For the moment, she seems content to remain curled up against her adopted brother's side. She's a cuddly little thing when she feels safe enough, especially when sleepy.
The young man cant really argue with either point "That works as well, thank you Bailey." Graham says as the other moves to make the arrangements. He will looks back to Rhyeline giving her a squeeze. It seems his content to enjoy his time before the carriage will arrive. The auror will see both of them to the carriage once it's there and shut the door behind them waving as it pulls off before disappearing back home himself.