(1940-04-04) National Security
Details for National Security
Summary: Samira shares some news about her family's efforts to return her to Egypt.
Date: 4 April, 1940
Location: The Sip and Sonder, Whimsick Alley
Related:
Characters
HephaestaNymeraSamira

At this late hour, Samira arrives under the supervision of her governess. In this context, late means an hour or so after dusk. The Sip and Sonder has only just truly come to life. The Moroccan lanterns cast warm light throughout the eclectic little shop. Those sitting upon thee plush sofa near the fireplace rise to leave just as Samira enters the shop. Slipping out of her shoes and taking one of the fresh pairs of slippers that keep appearing for new customers, the little one swiftly sits upon the sofa. Claimed. The governess takes a place at a small table not far away.

Hephaesta steps in from the rain, collapsing her umbrella, then collapsing it some more, then again, until finally the device is folded into a cylinder that fits neatly into her coat pocket. As she hangs her coat on a peg, her eyes fall upon another one, and recognition brings a warm smile her face. She scans the room, and spotting Samira, makes her way over toward the couch. In the mild din of conversation, the click-whirr, click-whirr of her steps draws a few curious eyes, but she pays them no mind. She stops just short of the couch, folding her hands before her with a beaming smile.

Nymera makes her way in from the rain herself, red hair falling down her back and looking rather flat. She folds up her umbrella and leaves it at the door, along with her shoes. She steps into the slippers and is guided to a table, where she orders a pot of coffee. She hasn't noticed Samira nor Hephaesta. When her service arrives, she pours a cup, black, and takes a sip, closing her eyes and smiling to herself, enjoying the flavor.

Samira slips her stockinged feet out of her slippers to tuck beneath herself as she folds her legs. The moment those familiar clicks and whirrs reach her ears, she looks up with a soft smile of… relief? Rising to her knees, she reaches for her. If able, she will take Hephaesta's hand and tug her to sit with her. "Hello, Phae…" she murmurs. She parts her lips to add something, but pauses when she notices Nymera sitting not far off, sipping a cup of coffee. "Nymera…" she says in soft surprise.

Hephaesta moves carefully to turn and sit beside Samira, leaning over to give her friend a quick hug. But the surprised word from Sami brings a confused furrow to her brow. "Nymera?" It's then that she follows Samira's gaze to see the red-haired girl sitting alone. "Oh…ah…" Phae nibbles at her lip, glancing back to Samira. "Should we invite her over?"

Nymera looks over, hearing her name as if it were a whisper. She sees Samira and smiles brightly. She then sees the other girl and demures, turning back to her coffee and relaxing in the seat, giving the two their space.

Samira returns Nymera's smile, but then blinks when the red-haired girl simply returns to her coffee. She looks to Hephaesta, hesitating, before looking to Nymera once more. "Nymera… would you care to join us? This is Hephaesta Mulciber…" She makes introductions, though chances are good the two at least know each other's names. Everyone seems to already know each other at Hogwarts.

Samira returns Nymera's smile, but then blinks when the red-haired girl simply returns to her coffee. She looks to Hephaesta, hesitating, before looking to Nymera once more. "Nymera… would you care to join us? This is Hephaesta Mulciber…" She makes introductions, though chances are good the two at least know each other's names. Everyone seems to already know each other at Hogwarts.

Hephaesta looks back to Nymera again, sitting upright with her hands folded in her lap. Remembering her etiquette lessons, she offers a smile to express welcome.

Nymera blinks and looks back over. She grabs her service and carefully walks over. "Are… Are you sure? I wasn't trying to crowd you." She looks to Phae and nods, bowing her head slightly. "Good evening, Mulciber." She says before sitting. She smiles and turns to Samira. "How are you, Dear? I… hadn't heard from you since you ran out of the bookstore yesterday."

Samira settles down at last, legs folded beneath herself, as Nymera approaches. At the mention of the incident in the bookstore, she bites her lower lip. Her dark gaze flits to Hephaesta, but then looking back up at Nymera, she murmurs, "I'm… alright. I just… a lot has happened. My uncle… he is making sure that… well… he won't do something like that again."

Hephaesta nods her greeting to Nymera with a polite, "Hello, Lestrange." But the news of some incident at the bookstore brings a worried crease to her brow. "Who? What's happened, Sami?" She glances between the two girls, quite at a loss.

Nymera looks, unaware of this girl who speaks to Samira so familiarly. She raises a brow when Sami mentions her uncle. "Good. We need someone with more clout than the students to be able to put him in his place." She then looks to Phae. "Eibon damn near attacked Samira in the bookstore. That boy is deranged, tryng to kiss every female that crosses his path, and if they don't comply, he either tricks them or goes about spreading nasty rumors. He's a menace and should be expunged like the rest of his family." She growls, taking this a might personally.

Samira's cheeks grow rather warm, but she doesn't try to stop Nymera from telling Hephaesta about what happened. Tucking a loose curl behind her ear, she murmurs, "It's alright now. Uncle was furious… Eibon… he might even be expelled."

Hephaesta's lips part in shock as Nymera explains what transpired. "Eibon…Angelus Eibon?" It seems a safe assumption. She turns to Samira, reaching for her hand. "That's horrible. Perhaps he should be expelled. You're sure you're alright?"

Nymera sneers. "Expelled? I have more fitting punishments in mind." She takes a breath, and calms herself, remembering where she is and the company she has. She looks to Samira to answer the question, since she hasn't seen the girl to ascertain her condition afterwards.

Samira's cheeks grow rather warm as her two friends show such concern for her. She sinks a bit deeper into the sofa, watching them. She lets Hephaesta take her hand and even gives the other girl's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sure. I was upset…" She lowers her gaze. "I wanted to curse him. But…" She peeks back up at them. "This way is better."

Hephaesta nods with a heavy sigh. "Yes, of course. He should be punished, but properly. You're fortunate to have your uncle to handle this. I'm sure that his clout will be more than sufficient."

Nymera nods, looking beteeen the two. "Eibon's got a bad habit of engulfing innocents in his trouble. Don't let him goad you into making him a victim. Then it would be you on the ned of an expulsion and not he." She says. "There are times and places to mete out proper punishment. He won't be free for long. Soon enough he'll join the rest of his useless, disgusting family."

"I'm not his victim. I suspect he did it because… I frightened him," says Samira in a rather quiet tone. It is then that Marie finally approaches to find out what Samira and Hephaesta would care to drink. Nymera had recieved her order with unusual swiftness. Samira asks for a cup of cocoa.

Once Marie has withdrawn, Samira looks to the two other girls. "Em… so… you both are… are two that… that know me best. You know about my family… in Egypt. That… they want me to return…"

Hephaesta visibly cringes at Nymera's harsh words for the Eibon family. But she keeps her silence, speaking only when the server comes by to ask for a simple coffee with cream and a scone. She nods to Samira. "Of course. You've mentioned-…" She tilts her head, squinting in worry. "Why? Has something else happened?"

Nymera raises a brow, having just now learning how close Phae is to Samira. Words are going to be had later. At the mention of Sami going back to Egypt, Nym looks over sadly. "There's more?"

Samira keeps her head bowed as she peeks up at the two other girls. She bites her lower lip, losing her nerve to deliver the harder news. "Sort of. It will be alright… It's just… my uncle is going to adopt me. He's been discussing things with my father… They decided it would be best so that it's harder for my mother's family to make me go back."

Hephaesta blinks a few times in confusion as she processes the announcement. "Adopt you…? I see. Well, that's…that's good." Phae's mouth pinches up on one side, but she at least attempts to smile through it. "It means you'll definitely get to stay in England?"

Nymera nods, echoing Phae's sentiment. "That does sound like good news." She looks of, listening to something that's not there. "You're hiding something. Your voice isn't matching your words. There's more.. and.. I don't think I want to hear it. Not now." She stands. When Marie returns, she pays for her order. "I.. must go and pack. We return to Hogwart's tomorrow and I don't want to miss the train." She looks to Samira. "I.. hope to see you before we leave."

Nymera nods, echoing Phae's sentiment. "That does sound like good news." She looks of, listening to something that's not there. "You're hiding something. Your voice isn't matching your words. There's more.. and.. I don't think I want to hear it. Not now." She stands. When Marie returns, she pays for her order. "I… need to go." She looks to Samira. "I hope I'll see you soon." She says, trying to hide the maelstrom of bad emotions roiling in her.

Samira looks to Hephaesta and nods with a soft smile. "That is the hope…" However, Nymera proves rather perceptive and the little one bites her lower lip at her words. She nods to Nymera in a silent promise to tell her later, if she wishes. As Nymera prepares to leave, Samira murmurs, "It was good to see you. And… and I'm glad you both got to meet. Good evening…"

Hephaesta looks meekly up at Nymera as she rises, nibbling nervously at her lip. She nods to the older girl, barely audible as she says, "It was nice to p-properly meet you. Good evening."

Samira settles closer at Hephaesta's side once Nymera has departed. She peeks up at her, hesitating a moment. "There is something more… It will help make certain that no one comes to collect me- to take me back to Egypt. It will be alright. But… could it wait? I'd… I'd like to be more… alone with you…"

Hephaesta nods distractedly as she watches Nymera leave, her face painted in worry. "Hm?" She turns back to Samira after the redhead has left the coffee house. "Oh…yes, of course. Whatever you need, Sami. I'm sorry things have been so difficult for you recently. I hope…I haven't been a source of difficulty as well?"

Samira surges closer, wrapping her arms tight around Hephaesta. "Never ever. You're… soothing. I've missed you." Eyes closed, she nuzzles gently against her before drawing back. The little one is conscious of the gaze of her governess. "Could… we go to your home now?"

Hephaesta hugs Samira tight, her tension ebbing away at the show of acceptance. "Of course. We'll take a taxi. Have you ever ridden in an automobile? They're the most amazing Muggle technology." She offers a hand to help Samira up before attempting to rise herself.

Samira grins up at Hephaesta, shaking her head. "No… but, I'd love that. It sounds interesting." Standing, she keeps ahold of Hephaesta's hand to help her up in turn. After setting enough money to pay for their orders (which they totally recieved and sorta drank), Samira heads off with Hephaesta into the night. The governess follows and keeps an eye on the pair until Samira arrives safely at the Mulciber home. She didn't care much for the taxi, but kept her sniffing to a minimum.

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