July 9, '78: I'm Laughing, Baby: Ana

[Yvette Singh]

▶︎ If you don't love me, why'd you act it?
Love's a verb and not a bandage

Golden boy, you dropped the ball...

Savage Residence, Norwich

"Oui, Tatie Juliette. Dreadful weather, indeed." Yvette forced a stiff smile as her aunt took her by the arm, leading her to the sitting room with that special blend of no-nonsense grace that she and her own mother shared. As they walked, the off-duty Healer's head was on an unladylike swivel as she looked out for her cousins. Farly had disappeared to fetch Anastasia, and the sooner she was in the non-judgmental company of her cousin and out of the kind-yet-prying eyes of her aunt, the better. It would only be so long, after all, until Juliette truly questioned her unannounced teatime visit, and her paltry excuse would not hold up if the witch prodded at it. Feeling like she herself was held together by discount paste and nothing more, Vini knew she would burst, and dreaded it. For it would be embarrassing, and ugly, and her aunt did not deserve it. She'd already had it out with her brother this morning, and Alphonse last night, and surely it was only her suffocating politeness that kept Juliette from mentioning her red-rimmed eyes.

Or, a terrible thought - Is she pretending not to know? Has Lyam already gone to maman or papa?

This Sunday was meant for the pair of them, her and Alphonse - had been meant for the pair of them, and she couldn't bear to sit alone in her flat with nothing but her birds for company. Not when they were meant to be checking off more silly tourist traps on the summer-in-London list, and he was - it didn't matter where he was, did it? While their devastating fight began with learning of his and her brother's bet against how long she'd make it at Mungo's, it had soon revealed far more. He was not an altogether kind man, was he? Nor was he exceptionally bright, or considerate, or funny, or even handsome. The pull he'd had over her when she was younger, well - she'd outgrown him, hadn't she, as she came into her own, and he failed to make such strides himself? If she had pursued further study at home, seen him regularly, surely she would have realized it sooner.

It was just - so - funny, wasn't it, so achingly, despicably funny? That someone so small could have her fooled, when she was supposed to be so clever?

It was no matter, she had finally seen him for who he was - and she didn't need him, she didn't need anyone who did not believe in her, who couldn't see her as an equal. And yet...

He'd held her heart for years now. Taking it back, cradling it, alone...her hands were not steady as they needed to be, not yet, not today.

"I apologize for barging in unannounced, but I was hoping to surprise Ana and steal her away for a girls day," Vini continued, strained as she perched on the loveseat she was shown to. Her aunt lounged beside her, painfully beautiful sweets gliding their way at the wave of her wand. "It's been far too long, and we must celebrate her being home while she is, no?" Ana's letters spoke of upcoming sessions at the Quidditch Academy, travels to America - New York, wasn't it? - and Vini only hoped she was lucky enough in her guess, as in her impulsive exit from her flat, she hadn't taken the time to check the dates. She plucked a sweet from the air - hazelnut and chocolate, melted in the mouth - continuing to help herself as her aunt spoke of their summer affairs, to deaf ears.

[Anastasia Savage]

Wand held aloof, Ana levitated the stack of old Quidditch equipment over the large box marked ‘donations’, biting at her lip in indecision. Her spell shook and after a moment, she released it with a sigh, allowing the items to pile themselves in neatly. She and Alec would never fit into those pads and shoes again, it would be better for them to be pasted on and serve someone else for many years still. It was just a little sad, she had had so many good times clad in her Quidditch gear, and watching her younger brother grow so quickly out of his made her sentimental. She turned away, she had new gear that needed sorting, and the excitement on Alec’s face when she left him at camp this morning with is new own new gear and shiny new broom, brought a smile to her face. She raised her wand again to get to work when there was a small knock on her bedroom room. Her smile broadened at the site of Farly stood in her doorway. “Farly, I’ve told you you can just come in when the door is open. It’s like an unspoken invitation.” Ana moved to sit on the ottoman at the foot of her bed, holding out her hand to her house elf. “What is it?”

Ana had never cared for the treatment of House Elves but had learned over time that their own nature was not to blame and could not be forced to change. Serving brought them happiness and all she ever wanted was happiness for Farly. After his ever-respectful bow, he promptly joined her on the seat and Ana took that as a partial win. “Mistress sends Farly to retrieve Missus for a visit with Missus' cousin Yvette.” The poor thing had barely gotten all of his statement out before Ana was up, dragging him with her to the door. She stopped halfway, bending down to her tiny friend's level and asked as politely as possible in her excitement. “Can you pop us down there, please.” Farly, grinning excitedly, said no more and they were gone.

   

Only to reappear at the same moment downstairs standing before her mother and her favorite cousin. “Yvette!” she exclaimed as she straightened up. In the next breath, her cousin was off the couch and they were embracing in a fierce hug. She pulled back, holding her dear one at arm's length and inspecting her beloved face. Usually so bright now seemed dull and her eyes held the signs of tears shed. Her brow furrowed and she chanced a glance at her mother, who hadn’t moved or spoken since she had winked into existence from upstairs. She stared back with an expression Ana could not read, so she looked back to Yvette, giving her a small smile and robbing her arm comfortingly. “I’ve missed you so much!” She said quietly. “Should we take tea in my room?”

[Yvette Singh]

The nutty chocolate was replaced with a dark chocolate bonbon, filled with what turned out to be a cherry mousse, and Yvette was halfway through a coconut macaron, lips dusted with sugar, when her cousin appeared in the blink of an eye, the little elf at her side. She gave a wordless call, rising to meet her darling cousin in a tight, warm embrace. It was safe in Ana’s arms, with her eyes squeezed shut against the younger girl’s shoulder, but she allowed the other to pull away with only a bit of resistance. Ana’s clever, discerning, concerned eyes took her in as if the transcript of her shouting match with Alphonse was written along her face, and she had to look away to keep from betraying herself any further, eyes prickling hot. "Oui. It’s been too long, mon rayon de soleil," she agreed, hoping that her whisper was taken, by her aunt at least, as a girlhood confidence meant for only her cousin’s ears. "Merci, tatie," she forced out at her usual volume, despising the bit of a wobble that gave her away. Taking her cousin by the hand, Vini all but ran them from the parlor, rattling quickly on the way up to Ana’s room.

"I’m sorry, Ana, I should have come to visit as soon as you arrived back home," Vini lamented with a half-smile, giving her hand a squeeze. "We’ll have our fun over your holiday, I promise. But today, I - I’m sorry - I didn’t know where else to go." The admission stung with the prick of a lionfish spine, its venom only stayed by the hand held so tightly within her own. She was making friends at the hospital, there were plenty of lovely, challenging, invigorating people to surround herself with. And they all knew her beau was visiting, their plans for the weekend, and expected love-filled updates on their next shared shifts… It was overwhelming enough to process Alphonse’s abrupt exodus from her present and future, the all in good fun scheme he’d shared with her brother, and she’d no clue how to face her coworkers' expectant looks and eager questions come Monday.

Shouldn’t have made such a fuss about his visit. Should not have made such a fuss…

No. Family was better, today. Family who she had no reason to be furious with, at least.

They stepped over the threshold and she breathed a little easier, even though Farly would shortly interrupt with tea. The kindly elf would keep her secrets, and Vini finished the almost-forgotten macaron - only slightly dented from her grip on it during their brisk walk - as she looked about. Ana was evidently in the middle of a project, sorting…Quidditch gear? "You’re not quitting," she said, question-met-declaration in a welcome distraction, as her brows furrowed. There were few things Ana was more passionate about than the sport, and from all she’d heard, her cousin was a shoe-in for Captain in her upper years if she kept on. Such a thing would look marvelous for her future applications to leadership positions, and only add to the riveting, glowing recommendations she was sure to receive from her professors, and if someone had convinced her out of it…

*my ray of sunshine