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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 14:42:54 GMT -5
Even though he was planning to confront his uncle and his buddies tonight, Roland was in an almost unnaturally good mood. He should have been worried about what might happen, but he wasn't. Instead, all he could think about was Riley.
They'd had a breakthrough the night before. Not only had he finally admitted to himself that he was in love with her, but he'd also made a little progress in getting her to admit that she was feeling the same way about him. Of course, now she seemed to be mostly avoiding him. They probably should have been out doing some more investigating today, but instead they were working on paperwork in the office, which allowed her to ignore him much more easily.
It worked out well enough for Roland. He did have a few things he needed to do in the office, anyway. One of these things involved writing a letter to his uncle, telling him that he wanted to meet tonight.
To my dear Uncle,
You've made your point quite clearly. I can't allow you to come after the rest of my family. It's me you want. So meet me at 201 Sorren Street in the warehouse district tonight at 11:00 for a fair fight. And bring your little friends.
~R
He felt a little shiver as he sealed the letter, but he shook it off and headed up to the Ministry's Owlery to mail it.
On the way back to the auror office, he nearly ran into two familiar figures.
"Hey, Mum, Dad," he said with a smile.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 14:55:37 GMT -5
Cara had not been expecting to run into Roland. In fact, she was quite used to him being gone, usually at the school, investigating the murder. Then again, she and Mathieu were usually on patrol as well.
The last time she spoke with Roland had been that argument in the kitchen over dinner, and she hated that, so she was glad to see him today, and in a good mood.
"Good afternoon, Roland. How are you?"
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:00:20 GMT -5
Roland gave her a quick hug. "I'm doing OK, Mum," he replied. "Just catching up on some paperwork today. How are you? Everything OK at the school? Did you run into Jamie or Amandine? They should be getting ready to go to the ball tonight, right?"
He gave a slight start as he realized that the ball was tonight. He regretted that he'd be busy and wouldn't be able to see Amandine in her dress, or Jamie with his date.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:10:52 GMT -5
Mathieu smiled to see his son in such a good mood. It was a rarity, after all, to see him smiling so brightly. ""We're fine," he said. "The school is fine... but no, we didn't see Jamie or Ama. You know how they are, they get embarrassed at having their parents hanging around the school, especially when they have a dance to get ready for. But you look like you're in an unusally good mood. What's going on?"
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:19:17 GMT -5
Cara smiled, listening to her husband. "You can imagine what they're both like, though. I imagine Ama is bouncing off the walls with excitement, and Jamie... well, you wouldn't know there's a ball by the way he's probably carrying on. But that's Jamie. You should try and drop by for a couple of minutes. Bring Riley," she added, unable to help herself.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:27:20 GMT -5
Roland rolled his eyes at her comment, but his smile didn't fade. "It sounds fun, but I'm afraid I can't, Mum. I... I have plans. Work plans, actually. I totally forgot the ball was tonight."
He looked at them both, then shrugged. "Hey... are you guys free for lunch? Maybe we could go grab a bite to eat. I was in early, and I'm getting hungry."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:33:37 GMT -5
Cara frowned, but looked to Mathieu and then nodded.
"We were just about to head back to the school, actually, but we're a little early too. I don't see why we couldn't grab lunch first. Right, Mathieu?"
Roland seemed to be in a very good mood, which she supposed she should contribute to work, but she certainly wasn't going to question it. "We need to go somewhere other than the cafeteria, though. I don't trust their food."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:46:25 GMT -5
Roland did his best to ignore the frown on his mother's face. He hoped she wasn't upset that he'd made plans for tonight. If he had remembered that it was New Year's, he would have waited... but it was probably best that he didn't.
"Yeah... the cafeteria is dodgy at best. Well, I know tons of good places to go around here. What are you in the mood for? If you just want something fast, there's a good deli just around the corner. Or there's this new place that just opened a month ago... it sells tacos and burritos. Any preferences, or should I just surprise you?"
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 15:50:47 GMT -5
Cara's frown deepend considerably.
"It worries me, Roland, that you know every restaurant close to here, including the ones that just opened." She put a hand on her hip and was tempted to tell them they weren't going to a restaurant at all. She nodded.
"Tell you what, we have a little time. Why don't we go home and I'll make something up really quick."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 16:01:29 GMT -5
Roland couldn't help rolling his eyes again. "You'd have more to worry about if I didn't know any restaurants, because it would mean I wasn't eating at all. I told you I can't cook. So unless someone invites me over for dinner, I usually have takeout. But if you're sure you have time, we can go home for a bit. I just don't want to distract you from work or anything."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 16:10:33 GMT -5
Mathieu shook his head. "Don't tell your mother things like that, or she'll be dragging you back home," he teased lightly. "But of course, you know you are welcome to stop over for dinner any night of the week. You don't even have to ask... your mother usually makes more food than either of us can eat, anyway."
He glanced at Cara. "I think we have time for a quick lunch at home. Merlin knows, the boy could use a home-cooked meal."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 16:50:34 GMT -5
"Of course we have time," Cara said, her smile returning at the thought of being able to cook something for Roland.
"And your father's right... and you're getting a homecooked meal every chance I get. Would you mind terrible if we sent left overs to your apartment from time to time?" It sounded like a good idea to her. He wouldn't have to come over if he didn't want to, and he would still have food.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:01:51 GMT -5
Roland smiled and shook his head. It was so like his mother to suggest such a thing. Other than her fascination with his love life, her insistence on making sure he was fed was one of her greatest passions. At least that one didn't annoy him so much. "No, I don't mind," he said. "And I'd love to go home for lunch."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:06:33 GMT -5
"Good," Cara said. "At least I know you'll be eating one good meal a day."
It was the motherly instinct in her. She still needed to make sure her kids were provided for.
She lead Roland and her husband to the apparation area and then smiled, taking Mathieu's hand. "We'll see you there."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:19:27 GMT -5
Roland followed his parents to the apparation area and smiled at them. "Well, I had a good meal last night, if that makes you feel any better."
He raised his eyebrows in a mysterious way at his mother, but didn't elaborate for the time being. Let her wonder. She'd probably ask, and he was actually in a good enough mood that he might even tell her a little bit about Riley.
But before she could ask, he apparated.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:22:21 GMT -5
Cara's brows knit, and she opened her mouth, but Roland was gone.
She turned her attention to Mathieu. "Did you see that?" She asked. "He clearly gave me that look you Ferrera boys get when you know something I don't. Where did he eat last night?"
Even as she asked, she knew Mathieu didn't know, so she squeezed his hand. There was a story in there, and she was anxious to hear it. She waited for him to apparate them home.
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:29:16 GMT -5
Mathieu chuckled with amusement. "Well, I guess you're going to have to ask him when we get there," he said. "You and I both know, he never would have mentioned it if he didn't want you to ask. Whatever it is, I get the feeling it's part of the reason he's in such a good mood today. Honestly, I can't even recall the last time I've seen him so cheerful."
It was true, Roland was usually not known for being particularly cheerful. But something was making him happy today, and whatever it was, Mathieu was just glad to see him smile. He gave his wife's hand a quick squeeze before apparating both of them back to the house.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:38:36 GMT -5
Mathieu was right... Roland was in an exceptionally good mood. It was strange, but she was really glad for it. Whatever could make him smile like that couldn't be a bad thing.
She was antsy already to talk to him, even in the short amount of time it took to apparate, and she turned to him with expectant eyes while Mathieu unlocked the front door.
"So.... are you going to elaborate?"
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:47:53 GMT -5
Roland was not surprised at how quickly she asked. He imagined it would have driven her crazy, just waiting until she could ask him. He turned to her, a crooked grin on his face. "Only if you promise not to get too pushy," he said. "And please don't make a big deal out of it."
He wasn't even sure why he'd mentioned it. But he was rapidly progressing into the giddy stage of love where you want everyone around you to know just how happy you are. Even if Riley was no where near that stage. He was now convinced that he could win her over.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 28, 2009 17:51:19 GMT -5
"I promise," Cara said automatically, leading Roland inside the house, and then into the kitchen so that she could talk to him while she made lunch. She didn't even know if she could keep that promise, but Roland knew that about her too. He couldn't expect her not to get excited, or throw a thousand questions his way.
Her eyebrows went up and her jaw dropped slightly, and she turned to look at him. "It was Riley, wasn't it?. You had dinner with Riley! A nice dinner, at that."
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