Hogsmeade Weekend

[shnpc]

WHO: 3rd years and up + teachers
TONE: Fun, cute, shoppy, romantic
RATING: G to PG-13
WHEN: November 17th and 18th!
WHERE: The Village of Hogsmeade!
WHAT: Everyone goes shopping in Hogsmeade Village, some on dates, some just looking to have a good time!
STATUS: Ongoing! Use whatever tag format you want!

Comments

Anywhere

[thegluethatbinds]

[After that failure at the dress robes store, Coulson's just quietly enjoying the atmosphere in the quaint village. Talk of Christmas was going around the village, and some of the shops had even put up some decorations already. Hogsmeade did look like a Christmas card. Wistfully, he wonders if he should risk sending a card back to his colleagues; Fury might like the one with the one-eyed reindeer.

He stops outside a shop and just idly looks inside at the ornaments inside. That is one ugly star that's going up on the tree.]

+1 vampire

[wavesofjade]

[Often, when she ventures into Hogsmeade, it's on the more quiet days, or she makes a point of keeping to places where there aren't as many people. Her requirements today, however, have taken her down the crowded main street and she's distracted as she moves carefully between the shoppers. When she spots Coulson, she pauses, and smiles. She'd not mistake him anywhere.

Quietly, she steps up beside him and looks up at the tree in the window, tilting her head slightly.]

... It's a little gaudy, isn't it?

[thegluethatbinds]

[Not many can sneak up on him; Coulson has to wonder whether it's because of Dolores being a vampire, or him getting soft. Either way he recovers quickly from his little shock and smiles at Dolores.]

It's definitely the biggest star in the display. Unfortunately, it's a bit...too big and flashy.

Good afternoon Dolores. How have you been? I really have to thank you for your help the other day. I haven't felt that bad in ages.

[wavesofjade]

[She curls one finger against her lips and chuckles softly, returning his smile with a warm one of her own.]

It was my pleasure, Philip, you know that. I have seen far worse before now.

[Dolores leans a little to peer around the display and into the shop.]

I've been quite well.. I do love this time of year.

[thegluethatbinds]

You mean Christmas?

[He looks back to the shop display. Not everything was as horrendous as the star, thankfully.]

I like it too, actually. It's one of the few holidays that I used to take days off for.

[wavesofjade]

Winter, but of course Christmas is part of it.

[Her fingers curl around her arms, a light sigh from a breath she doesn't need frosting in the air in front of her face.]

I have so many gifts still to buy, or make. Strider is proving to be quite the puzzle but I think I have just the thing.

[thegluethatbinds]

You're starting early for Christmas. I usually only start around December.

[More like December 24th, when he has to rush for a present for his girlfriend. Christmas was their time together and he'd always try to make sure they'd have a good time together. Again, he feels that pang of loneliness. It's going to be eight months since he last spoke to her. Time really flew fast, especially when you didn't take extra care to note it. The smile on his face turned slightly sad, without him even knowing.]

[wavesofjade]

When I am making most of the gifts that I give from scratch, it pays to make an early start.

[Dolores smiles cheerfully. She usually starts working on Christmas gifts before Halloween. Murdoc's was already out of the way, as was Sybille's. There were still a few more left to do.

Her expression flickers slightly when she sees his drop, and she touches his arm, looking concerned.]

Are you alright?

[thegluethatbinds]

Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine thanks. Just...thinking about past Christmases.

[Which is a half truth.]

When I was younger, my parents would ask me to help decorate the tree. That was my favourite part, next to opening presents. My dad would take me to the tree nursery and we'd pick a good one to bring home. Mom would have hot drinks waiting, and once we'd warmed up a little we'd get started on the decorations.

I guess seeing these ornaments reminded me of that.

[He shakes his head, bemused by his own ramblings. Damn it Coulson, this isn't the time to get so sentimental about the past.]

Sorry Dolores. I don't know why I'm thinking so much of the past. It's not something we can change.

[wavesofjade]

[It reminds her of the same things, and with a hint of sadness, as she can recall doing the same things with her own child. It's been difficult, but seeing him again as she had, being able to say goodbye.. it had helped more than she could have thought. It isn't so painful to think of, now.]

You're right.. but it is foolish to believe that we shall never think of it, even if we cannot change it.

[She smiles softly.]

I think that I will visit my mother this Christmas. Perhaps invite her to come and see me. She's alone this year, since my father died, and I have no reason to hide from her any longer.

[thegluethatbinds]

That sounds nice. Will she be coming to Hogwarts? I've heard the Christmas decoration are a sight to see.

[wavesofjade]

Ah.. I am not sure about that. I think it all may be a bit much for her, at her age. She was never comfortable with all of this 'magic business'.

[Dolores smiles.]

I think that I will go to see her. It's been a long time since I did that.