(1939-06-05) Returns & First Meets
Details for (1939-06-05) Returns & First Meets
Summary: Mae finally returns, using the floo network, getting directions mixed up she winds up outside Rousseau Vineyards shop and has a chance meeting with Augustin.
Date: 1939-06-05
Location: North Verdic Alley
Related:
Characters
Augustin

It's a cool, clear spring evening, and Gus is loitering at the counter to his shop. It's almost closing time, but not quite, so the door is open to let in the slight breeze and any late coming customers. Gus is dressed in an interesting grey robe which has been charmed to look like a robes-shaped depiction of mist concealing some intriguing tableau. People on a morning street? Trees by a brook? It's anyone's guess. A somber black band is tied around his left arm. Despite the dark colors, the young man himself seems bright, and is even whistling as he carves a small piece of wood. He's nearly done with the piece, which is clearly a happy young witch on a broom, complete with flapping robes and long pigtails.

It has been almost a year since anyone has seen her face, it is unlikely they will remember her at all, dressed in her black robes making her almost undetectable in the darkening skies. She is a bit of a mess looking like she has been traveling for the last few days, her robes littered with ash which she is patting off frowning. "I really need to learn to apparate." she mutters out, kind of loudly, from where she stands in the middle of the alley.

Gus' whistle trails off at the intrusion of the loud voice and he peers through his door toward the source of it. "It's not that hard, Miss," he tells her with a grin. And then he Disapparates from behind the counter, the loud snap of air rushing to fill the space he was just in echoed half a beat later by the ear-splitting crack of air being violently shoved aside as he Apparates two steps outside the shop door. He's still holding his carving and the little carving knife, and his grin is intact as well. "Don't they give classes, somewhere?" he asks curiously.

Mae jumps quite suddenly as that man appears next to her, letting out a small scream in surprise, "Don't do that so close." she frowns as she brushes the last of ash from her robes. "It isn't that hard no, but I have been away, besides you have to register with the ministry to do it.

Gus bites his lips together, not very successfully trying to stem a laugh when she screams. "Three paces isn't that close," he says cheerfully. He shrugs at her 'besides,' and then nods his head toward his shop. "You look like you could use something to settle your nerves. Come in, have a bit of wine. My apology for scaring you."

Mae stands up and nods "Yes, that sounds like a good idea," she says looking up into his eyes. She approaches him quietly. "I am Mae." She smiles at the man, before looking around "I don't remember some of these shops ever being here," she says softly.

"Augustin Rousseau," he says right back, and he sticks his hand out for her to shake. "But everyone calls me Gus. Nice to meet you, Mae." Then he leads the way into the shop. "Well, yeah, we're new. So is the art shop across the street. Just met the owner there the other day. Nice chap. Wife's an artist." He sets his nice little carving down on the counter as he goes behind it, and gestures for her to sit on one of the stools.

Mae shakes that hand and smiles as she shakes it. Following him in she quickly finds a stool and sits down, stretching some. "That is good, means a lot more shops now." She relaxes some. "Is the Leaky Cauldron still renting out rooms?" she asks softly.

"Let's hope business keeps booming," Gus says with a nod. He takes out a wineglass, eyes her, and then removes a pale pink wine in a tiny bottle from behind the counter. "Try this," he advises. The scent is sweet and fruity. "Dunno about the Leaky Cauldron," he says after a thoughtful pause. "Might be. Why?"

Mae gently takes up the glass and gives it a gentle swirl and smiles as she brings it up to give it a sniff. "Sweet and fruity." She hmms thinking of what possible ingredients. "Well, I don't have a home, that is why. I just came back to town." She takes a sip from the glass.

"Eh?" Gus says. "Where've you been, if you don't mind me asking?" He picks up his little sculpture and starts carving more, the movement of his knife delicate and precise, the shavings very small, now. He's putting detail into the twiggy end of the broom.

Mae savors the taste, not swallowing it right away, keeping silent for the moment. "All over, Spain, Italy, Russia, Germany." She finally says, sighing softly, "Mom will be glad to see me again." She looks over at the bottle, "Not bad, good fruity and sweet taste."

"Glad you like it," Gus says with a grin. "One of our more popular vintages." He doesn't pour himself a glass, but keeps right on whittling. "Are you here to stay, then?" he asks curiously. "Looking for a job as well as a place to sleep?"

Mae sets the glass down "To stay yes, it is about time I got things in order and got a real job," she says softly. "So I was going to stay the night at the Leaky Cauldron, then on to St. Mungos in the mourning, then apartment hunting."

"Ooh, a Healer, are you?" Gus asks with some interest, his pale eyebrows shooting up. "You look a bit young for it."

Mae shakes her head and smiles. "No, but if I want to be one I have to start there." She looks at the wood figure curiously. "Still not sure which field I am going to specialize in but the field is still wide open for me." She grins softly. "Well, I know at least Trama Pops would have been proud." She smiles softly.

Gus nods a bit, thoughtful. "I should ask who Trauma Pops is," he says with a grin. "Anyway, welcome back to London, hope you find what you're looking for quickly and without too much fuss."

Mae frowns at that. "Not Trauma Pops, sorry, I meant to say I know I am going to go into Trauma, that my pops would have been proud." She nods. "It shouldn't take long to find, with my grades a job is assured." She looks around before frowning. "I am keeping you from closing," she says softly, suddenly realizing how late it really is.

Gus laughs aloud at his own misunderstanding. "Ah, that makes more sense," he agrees. When she realizes the time, he shrugs. "That's alright," he says. "But I do have to get home to my Papa and sister. You about done?" he asks, nodding to her wineglass.

Mae nods and drains the rest in one gulp before rising. "Well, don't let me keep you from your family. Cherish them, you never know when they will be taken from you." With that she rises and crosses to the door quickly, throwing up her hood and stepping out she seems to vanish save for the sound of her boots clicking on the hard ground.

At Mae's words, all the happiness vanishes from Gus' face. He looks positively tragic. There's even a glimmer of a tear in his eye. He keeps silent as she makes her way out the door.

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