Sept. 22: Mistake No. 1: Teagan

[Teagan Edwards]

This world would be a much for fascinating place if things like magic did exist. Magic, time travel, the ability to explore things outside of the realm of everyday normal life. While the world was certainly making great advances in science - a man on the moon and all that - they still had so far to go. They were no where near the possibilities that they dreamt about on their television shows.

But she had to laugh at the question he asked, realizing that her explanation of the show had been quite lacking. "Sorry, I guess I didn't explain it very well. The Doctor is a Time Lord, he's not from earth. And he travels through time and space in the TARDIS. That stands for time and relative dimension in space," she explained, her hands moving about as she got lost in describing the show to him. "So not only does he go back and forward and time, but he also visits different planets and galaxies and such. It's really quite the concept."

And while she enjoyed talking about the show, discussing his work was especially riveting. It had been such a long time since she'd had this sort of discussion with someone. Her father had always talked to her about his work in the medical field, throwing out terms she would look up later and commit to memory. Words that she hardly heard these days, being nothing more than a simple secretary. "Anywhere in time, avoid of any repercussions? Well then," she answered slowly. There were so many logistics to the theory of time travel, but where would she go if it was even an option? "I would go forward. We know history, the past. There's no point in dwelling on that. So if I could go anywhere, I'd go into the future. Just to see how far humans, as a race, had gone," she finally replied. "And then I would come back to this time and continue on with my life."

But with the admission of her plans, she was waiting for his next words. But instead of asking her out as she had been hoping, he was simply being...him. She gave a smile, letting a sigh escape her lips for a minute. If she wanted anything out of this, it was obvious she was going to have to ask. "What about you? Do you have anything planned for the weekend?"

[Elliott Thomas]

As Teagan explained more about this "Doctor" character and the premise of the show, Elliott's mind whirred in trying to make sense of the concept. How was it that this alien got his "TARDIS"? What technology allowed it to function in such broad strokes without harming the structural integrity of the universe? Why was he constantly traveling in the first place? It was so much to take in, and despite his knowing he couldn't get involved with this muggle girl in any way, Elliott found himself curious enough to want to watch an episode or two. He was interested to see how the muggles - who had never experienced any form of time travel - dealt with these concepts, how closely they aligned to what wizard-kind knew, what rules were in place...

"Quite the concept, indeed," he assented after a brief pause of staring in her direction as he thought, giving an affirming nod and clear of his throat as he looked about and then back to his watch, wondering where their lunches were. They didn't have limitless time, after all - no timeturners, no Time Lord, no TARDIS. As oddly enjoyable as this was, Elliott knew he'd be missed in the Department if this ran late. It was a small task force, after all, and Rookwood seemed the only one of the lot of them who had a social life. His superior coming back late from lunch would be announced by a boisterous laugh and storytelling in lieu of apology - Elliott couldn't be late, especially if he wanted to get out of the Hall of Prophecy sooner rather than later.

His interest, however, had been piqued by Teagan, and he wondered what she would make of his question about her own time travel, were it possible. It was an absolute understatement to say that interacting this closely with a muggle was a rare occurrence for him. Come to think f it, he'd likely never held this long of a conversation with one, or with a stranger from his own segment of the world. He didn't often go out of his way to make conversation, but he figured that as long as he was here, he could get some practice. His inherent comfort with her had already risen tremendously, showing in the increased stability of his speech. It always got worse when he was anxious, but just sitting her with her, watching her think, it was...nice.

And he couldn't stop a short laugh at her response.

"Go on and see how things turn out, and then go home as if nothing had happened?" he asked. "However could you manage that, do you think, knowing what you'd know?" For surely humankind wouldn't do good things to this planet - history told them that they had great capacities for healing, it was true, but just as much, or even more, for destruction. So going ahead in time to when their species had overrun this planet with overpopulation and pollution and the resulting disease and famine and poverty that would surely strike - unless extreme measures were taken, of course, and space exploration and colonization became a reality rather than just as fictitious as her favorite television program...how could one come back from that and return to normal? True, this was all hypothetical, and if she was to experience this and come back to the present, perhaps she could become an environmentalist or something, try to enact positive change before it was too late...and come off as a nutter for "knowing the future" and all...

Good Merlin, it was just a question. Your question. Don't analyze it to death.

Thankfully, distraction came in the form of food, and further conversation about their respective weekends. Teagan didn't seem particularly pleased by his response, deflating a tad although she was still smiling. Had he said something wrong? Elliott thought back and couldn't imagine what...but then was being asked the same. He shrugged his shoulders, simply saying, "No, nothing set in stone. I think a friend of mine has a match or practice or something for his team, may yet convince me to watch and spend time." For as strong as his mind was, he was terrible at remembering social plans, something that didn't do his anxiety-prone mind any good. He just got distracted by work or other things, but if he remembered right Liam had said he could get him in to something this weekend...you'll have to check on that, don't want to disappoint him.

[Teagan Edwards]

Teagan was glad he seemed to interested in talking to her about Doctor Who. He could have easily dismissed the whole thing, but he had expressed interest. He wanted to know about the show, about the concepts behind it. It was a good conversation, one that really made her feel comfortable. It was easy to talk to him, and it was easy to forget that she was simply on her lunch break. Which, he apparently had remembered. She glanced down on her own watch, surprised at how much time had already passed. This cafe usually didn't take so long with lunches...

But his next question was stimulating, and gone were her thoughts of being late getting back to the office. To sit and really think about the options in front of her if she was able to travel through time. She loved the concept of Doctor Who, traveling through time with someone and seeing things. But her life was good now, and she couldn't think of trading it for a life in the future. She smiled as his laugh, giving a shrug to his question. "As much as I would love seeing the future, my life doesn't exist there. And what if something I do in my own time contributes to that future? If I stayed there, I could alter that time," she answered with a grin. Unlikely that anything she would accomplish in her life would be that important to the future, but it was still fun to think about.

And as they ate their lunches and discussed their weekends, and his lack of asking her out, she checked the time once more. She didn't have long before she would have to leave, and she would guess that he was in the same point. But with his admission of possible plans, she knew it was now or never. Sometimes one simply had to strike first. "Well, if you aren't busy with your friends match would you like to go out with me? We could do dinner."

[Elliott Thomas]

Her response eased a smiling consent out of him, and he rather contentedly went back to his sandwich. The line of questioning had his mind working, and he was mulling over what his own response would have been. Seeing the future and all its ruin - or its wonder, depending on how things went - would truly be something else, and he wondered if he could return here afterwards. It wasn't as if he had much of a life to return to, and what if he could be of better use there?...

It seemed like Teagan was readying herself to go - as she was mainly done with her lunch and checking her watch - and he knew he needed to return to the Ministry shortly as well, so after speaking took a large bite out of his sandwich, needing to hurry that process along. He was glad she didn't make a big deal about his vagueness in describing Liam's activity - there are sports with "matches" in the muggle world, then - but then she...asked him out?

Elliott hoped she wouldn't be offended by his stone-faced surprise.

But this was a first.

And he didn't quite...know what to do.

Yes, she was proving to be a good conversation companion and all around likable person, but she was a muggle, and his secret world had to remain a secret. He worked for the Ministry of Magic! He represented his kind! And while muggle relations weren't frowned upon by many in the community, fraternizing with them was a not-so-uncommon death-sentence to those of his blood! Sure, walking through muggle London wouldn't bring that disastrous of an outcome, but marriage could, and not that this could lead to marriage f*ck's sake it was only a date, but -

As he prepared himself to reject her offer, looking across the small table at her, her sparkling green eyes (What is wrong with you? Sparkling?) caught his. And he lost his nerve.

It's only a date. You should go on at least one date in your life, you know. This can just - this can just be practice.

"S-s-s-sorry," he said, cracking a smile, and took a beat to recover, setting the remains of his sandwich down. "I'm just surprised, I'd think a girl like you would already have a boyfriend."

Smart move, bringing up other blokes -

    You can't continue to see her anyway -

"How can I reach you?"

[Teagan Edwards]

With so little time left in their lunch, Teagan knew she had to just make her move. She could only pick at the last bits of her lunch so much before she was sure that Elliot would think she is completely strange. An odd thought for her to have, seeing as he was certainly a strange character himself. There was so much mystery still surrounding him even though she had some small details about him. She felt like she was the most boring person on the planet compared to him. Not knowing what she wanted to do with her life – and here he was contemplating time travel. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had such an intellectual conversation with a man she was interested in.

But she had not been expecting the surprise that appeared on his face. It instantly made her worry – was she rushing things by asking him out even though they had only just met? – but the way he looked across the table at her silenced her thoughts. She wanted to know what was going through his mind, and thankfully it was only a few more seconds before he talked, the stutter she had found adorable returning. And with his response, she could feel herself blush.

Because she was just some secretary at a doctor’s office, not the kind of girl that guys were exactly lining up to take her out. And until meeting Elliot, she had been quite content with just her and her dog. “Oh no, I don’t get asked on many dates,” she answered before realizing how terrible that sounded. “But here, let me write my phone number down for you.” Pulling the paper back toward her, since wrote it in the margins near the crossword puzzle.

Gathering her things, she left some money on the table as she stood up and turned to him. Flashing him a smile, and trying to contain her excitement that he might call her, she held out her hand toward him. “It’s been great talking with you Elliot.”

[Elliott Thomas]

Oh Merlin, he was taking too long to respond - but this wasn't a little decision to make! There were many factors to take into account, but in the end he had to say something, and this would be good for him. (Not that the thought was his, but he could hear his old friend Lauren shouting at him lovingly to accept the girl before she up and left.) It was just a date, just one date, and then he could go back to his normal life. But her cheeks actually colored at his words, an automatic and visceral response to...embarrassment. What had he said? As Teagan spoke, it was explained, but he didn't quite understand. She was so easy for him to talk to - surely she was even better at holding conversations with the socially adept. Besides, she was beautiful, and her not getting asked out often didn't make much sense.

"Me neither," Elliott admitted unnecessarily as she brought the newspaper back to her, writing her phone number down for him. You'll have to get a telephone. Or could you use one of those phone boxes? He had some muggle money for these little excursions, did he have enough for a telephone? Enough coins for a public phone? He'd have to figure it out before leaving work tonight. She passed him back the paper and he folded it up carefully, slipping into his coat as she readied herself to leave. As she put money down for her meal, he had a moment's panic - Should I treat her? - but then she was holding her hand out to him, and he had already given her his scarf, and this wasn't a date, so, it was fine? He put down his share of the tab and shook her hand firmly, echoing her smiling sentiment. "Really nice meeting you, Teagan, I'll call soon," he promised steadily, giving her a small smile and wave as they walked out of the shop and parted ways. On his way back to the Ministry, the young Ravenclaw graduate smiled to himself as he reran the encounter, trying to figure out where exactly he had gone so right, right enough to have an intelligent and attractive woman ask him out...