Bonjour!, <Miles, Miya, Raoul>

[Byron Grant]

Byron stares at his boss in consternation. “What do you mean, no?” he asks, his voice rising. “I have worked non-stop for the last six month, dealing with the worst assignments you can think of! And you’re telling me no?!” He leans forward. “I am telling you, I am going on holiday for two weeks, and while I’m at it,” he pauses, “I quit.”

He turns in a flare of robes, ugly as they are. In fact, he’s so irritated; he rips them off as he walks. Just as well he’s always been in the habit of wearing clothes under his robes, he thinks as he tosses the offending cloth over his shoulder. He totally ignores the screams coming from behind him.

He pauses long enough at his desk to stuff his personal stuff into a bag, scribble a resignation on a piece of parchment and send it winging over to his boss. He exits with a wave to one or two people and heads for the lifts.

The moment he enters the Atrium, he uses the Floo to get to the Leaky Cauldron. He steps out into the courtyard and Apparates to his flat. A wave of his wand at the door, and he’s inside. “Babe! I’m home. Ready to go?” He walks over to the perch where Master Raven has been sitting. He croons wordlessly, and holds out his arm for the raven to jump up to his shoulder.

He had packed the day before after they had got home, and while he was at the Ministry, Miles was going to pack. He walks through to his bedroom, and sees that Miles isn’t back yet. “Ready for a trip?” he asks the raven. He strokes the bird’s back, and walks through to the lounge.

[Miles Ritter]

Miles takes a moment to Charm the window of his office - any owls seeking him will be returned with a message inscribed on the letter ... one that said Master Ritter would be Charmed to assist them once he's back from his holiday.

He cleared his calendar a while ago, but he doesn't want to miss out on new clients, either.

He wonders how Byron is doing at the Ministry this morning ... if his boss is playing along and giving him the requested leave. He doubts it somehow and thinks that it's a good thing anyway; his job made him miserable, and Miles hated to see Byron come home from work with his edges worn away by beaurocracy.

He drops Wodin off with the neighbour and picks up his bag, Apparates to the roof of Byron's building, unable to stifle the broad grin. He's officially on holiday now!

He takes the stairs three at a time and fairly bounces as he hits the landing. Byron's neighbour gives him a narrowed eye through the open crack of her door. He winks at her and presses a hand to Byron's door, which swings open under his light touch.

He refrains from the 'honey, I'm home,' routine and raises his eyebrows at Byron. "How did it go, lieb?" he asks as he walks into the lounge and shuts the door behind him.

[Byron Grant]

Byron hitches his shoulder for Mister to go back to his perch, turns around and enfolds Miles in a hug. He rests his head on Miles’s shoulder. “It was horrible, and I’ve joined the ranks of the unemployed.” He doesn’t sound too sad about it though.

“I asked if he decided on my leave, he said he did and I didn’t get it. So I put up a bit of a scene and stormed out.” He was sure it was all over the Ministry by now. It felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off him.

He goes over to the raven. “You want to come along? Or will you be OK for two weeks?” The bird hops onto his shoulder, nibbles his ear, and hops back onto the perch. “Hmm, I guess not.” He shrugs and strokes the bird’s back. “It’s OK, Mister, I’m sure you will have a good time and you can find me in France.” He checks the feeder and looks at Miles. “Will you check on him when you’re here to practice with Aeris?”

Byron, takes Miles’s hand. “Do you have the portkey?” He just wants the holiday to start. And meeting Miles’s friends was a big consideration too.

[Miles Ritter]

Miles hugs Byron tightly and makes a sympathetic sound against the warmth of his neck.

"Aw," he says softly, then leans his head back slightly to smile at Byron - he knows that Byron's not too heartbroken and Miles think that Byron's been working himself up to this point, somehow. "Not for long, lieb," he says.

He rolls his eyes. "Absolute bastard." He smirks. "So it was a big scene with shouting and drama, or just a mini one?" he asks. He thinks he'd have paid good money to see that, actually.

"I've left Wodin with the neighbour," Miles says. "But Mister can get through the window - er - what does he eat, anyway?" he asks.

"Of course I will," Miles says with a nod. He knows Byron's wards and can stop by quickly before Apparating back to get Byron to nurse his bruises. Practice with Aeris has become very intense in the build up to the tournament.

He nods and checks Byron's clock. "It'll activate at twelve," he says. It's almost time, and he pulls out the smooth tiger's eye from his pocket and puts it on the dining table.

[Byron Grant]

Byron presses a kiss into Miles’s neck. “Not for long, indeed. I’m guessing its all just a formality with the NEWT test and all that, but still, I can’t help but be nervous until I have a piece of paper that says: “Congratulations, you are the new teacher.”

“It was a small scene, and only the ones from the department heard it, but knowing what incurable gossips this lot is, I know it’s all over the Ministry. I’ll get questions from Aeris on Wednesday, I’m sure.” He would have loved to make it a bigger scene, with his boss following him to the Atrium, and him Disapparating in a dramatic flourish with scathing words on his lips as he does so. But alas it was not to be.

“There’s a container with food that Jani sold me next to the perch, and I think he supplements his diet with stuff he finds. I don’t want to think too much on that.” He’d have a place to sleep and can come and go as he pleases. “As payment, I will nurse you after Aeris has had her wicked ways with you,” he teases. The last few sessions between the two of them have become quite intense.

Byron looks at the piece of stone on the table. “It’s been a while since I’ve traveled by portkey,” he admits. “I’m really looking forward to this babe.”

[Miles Ritter]

"Ja, I know," he says. "Did you pack that book to read?" he asks. He's got his thick sheaf of duellists profiles to read through while they're lazing around. He refuses to feel nervous about the upcoming tournament, though. This is holiday time. "She really likes you," he soothes.

Miles snickers. "I'd have loved to see that," he says. "But good riddance to vampire cows and demon tractors," he says dryly. "Hello scary little students and poltergeists." He grins. "I can't remember what it's like to be eleven, actually," he admits.

Miles nods, absorbing the instructions, and then the turns to Byron after he and Mister regard each other with mock glares for a moment (it has turned into a game now - Jani would be so surprised that the birds are rather charming when you get to know them). "Now that sounds scary," he says with a soft snicker.

Miles shoulders his bag and nods. "Like riding a broom," he says with a wink, and makes sure that Byron has a hand on his bags.

"Ready to go?" he asks. "In three, ja?" They need to touch it at the same time. "Three ... two ... one ..." he counts down, and then touches a finger to the stone in tandem with Byron - and the world jerk him forward into a blur.

[Byron Grant]

Byron nods and pats the bag he’s packed. “It’s right here.” He remembers something. “Oh, crap! My laptop!” He dashes back to his bedroom and hastily packs the machine. “I promised Jani I’d look for some properties for her,” he says when he returns with the machine all packed and the strap slung over his shoulder. He just hoped the trip with the portkey wasn’t going to hurt it – and some of his calligromancy notes were on there too.

He grimaces. “It wasn’t very exciting babe, I was just so damned angry, I didn’t really put on much of a show.” He was sure that place had made him sick, and even if Hogwarts was a scary thing, he’s rather face a bunch of kids than a cow with fangs. At least the kids were scarier.

Byron is quite glad that Miles and the raven got along. They still pretended to dislike each other, but he knows better. He places a quick kiss against Miles’s temple to say thanks that he’d feed the bird.

“Oh, like I could forget how to ride a broom,” he counters, making sure he has a hand on his other bag. “Ready to go,” he says as he puts a finger on the stone and feels a pulling from behind his navel.

A few moments later they land on their feet on a country lane. Byron shakes his head, takes a look around and makes sure his bags are still with him. “What a ride,” he grins, turning to look around.

[Miles Ritter]

A slight frown creases his forehead. "Properties for what?" he enquires. He's sure Byron misses being able to use his laptop in his flat ... Miya must have a load of magical wards, too, although since Raoul works with computers, there must be a place that's equipped for it, he reckons.

Miles sighs slightly and smooths his fingertips along Byron's jaw, making an aggravated type of noise. "I hate that he treated you like that - I'd love to hex him solidly." His scowl is genuine and curls his lip for a moment.

Miles blinks a few times, getting his bearings. It's balmier here than in London, and the air carries the ocean with it - a light rushing roar and the unmistakeable scent of salt and ozone.

They are just outside a gate, and beyond that lies what must be the Santogabriel home; an open and airy villa with a distinctly un-English style. "Wow, nice," he says with a grin.

"I can't wait to see what she's done inside - you'll love her taste," he says excitedly, and gives Byron a lingering hug before reaching out to touch the gate - she'll feel the wards and come out to greet them, he thinks.

[Byron Grant]

He looks surprised. “Didn’t I tell you I told her that I would look for a farm or something secluded for them to buy?” He hadn’t forgotten, just didn’t really get a chance to do any searching for her as yet.

“It’s OK, babe, if he wants to get to me, he will have to go through a lot of trouble.” He leans into the touch along his jaw, making a small sound.

“Wow, nice indeed!” Byron admires what they can see through the gates, and from what he can tell, the style isn’t quite French, unless he is totally mistaken and his knowledge of architectural styles are completely off. He takes a deep breath, enjoying the clean air. "Oh, SO much better than London."

He can see Miles is excited to see Miya again, that he’s missed his friend. “Oh, I’m sure I will like her, she’s your friend.” He thoroughly enjoys the hug and gives Miles a quick kiss before they turn towards the gate and Miles touches it.

[NPC]

Raoul would know that MIya had been excited for several days now, anticipating the visit of her best friend outside of Cessily (who is still abroad) and her husband himself. It has been much, much too long since they have seen each other, and she’s so glad he decided to come visit her here at her home.

When she feels the brush on the wards, she jumps up, almost bouncing from excitement, and grabs onto Raoul. “They’re here!” she says, and presses her lips to his in a brief, excited kiss. “I’m going to go get them.” She leaves it up to him if he wants to follow her—she’s caught up in the moment, like she can get sometimes.

She rushes up to the gates and waves them open as she gets close. Clapping her hands in excitement, she rushes forward and throws her arms around Miles in an enthusiastic welcoming hug.

She is an exotically beautiful woman. The first impression points strongly to her Asian—more specifically, Japanese—descent, though her mother’s Nubian-Italian blood peeks through some, mostly just adding to the exotic quality. She’s not tall but not short, ut that’s about the only ordinary thing about her. She has the straight, lithe form of a model or a dancer, and her black, silky hair cascades straight down her back. Her eyes dance with life and vitality and excitement.

“Ah, cheri! I am so happy that you are here!” she says, her speech marked with a French accent. She kisses him on both cheeks, ever so pleased to see him. “It has been much too long.”

She remembers her manners too, however. Miya turns her charming smile on her friend’s companion. “Bonjour, Byron, oui? I am Miya SantoGabriel, and Miles is one of my dearest friends. I am very pleased to meet you, he has told me many wonderful things of you.” She extends her hand.


----

[Miles Ritter]

Miles rolls his eyes at himself. "Oh, properties properties, not properties of some potion," he says with snort of amusement at himself. He's probably so excited for Byron's part about the potions job at Hogwarts that everything else slides past his mind.

He grins as he sees Miya exiting the front door, her long hair bouncing and rippling behind her. He remembers her enthusiasm and verve for life, but it's quite something different to be in her presence again and feel it. He bounces on the balls of his feet, having dropped his bags to his feet already.

And the gates open and he picks her up off her feet when she hugs him and Merlin it's good to see his friend again. And she's so happy! He remembers a time when Miya had been desperately unhappy and confused and she'd cried on his shoulder about her mother and the expections placed upon her. It was so good to see her sparkling.

"Ja, it has," he says with a broad smile for her. "Thanks for the invite, Miya." And before he can introduce Byron, Miya has done it herself in true, well, Miya fashion. He slides an arm around Byron's waist and his smile will tell her so many things without him having to say a word.

[Byron Grant]

Byron laughs. “Yes, places to live, not ways to make potions.” He could see that Miles’s mind is on one thing at the moment – his new job.

A young woman comes running down the drive, and Byron is struck by her beauty as he sees her. “Oh, Miles, she’s gorgeous,” he says, vastly amused a moment later by her enthusiastic greeting. He could see the two friends had missed each other, and their reunion was something to behold.

“Bonjour, Miya. Seulement les bonnes choses qu'i espèrent, il peuvent embellir tellement parfois.” Hello, Miya. Only good things I hope, he can embellish so much sometimes. Byron grins as Miles slides an arm around his waist. “Yes, thank you for inviting us, you have no idea how much I was looking forward to this.” He won’t bore her to death just yet with his resignation that very morning and the prospect of a job at her brother’s old school.

[NPC]

It's Monday morning, and although Raoul usually is working out in his office (where there are anti-magic wards, of sorts, so that his computers won't fry), he knows that Miya is too excitable this morning to leave him to his own devices.

So they are sitting in the lounge, listening to music and chatting when Miya jumps up. He can't feel the wards, not only because he hasn't set them, but because using magic is new to him, and he's still struggling to master the basic charms, let alone the complex magic of warding. He's probably fighting somewhat of a guilt complex, which is why his progress is so slow, he thinks.

He laughs as she's out the door like a rocket, and follows at a more sedate pace. He's a tall, slim-built man with a head of unruly, curly dark hair, and the dark eyes and olive skin which point to his Latin heritage.

His English is much improved from when he first arrived in Europe, but his accent is heavily accented by his mother-tongue. He has a better grasp of French, actually.

He smiles when he sees Miya's enthusiastic greeting for her friend - her love and enthusiasm for life are things he loves about her. It's that which weaves through and past their differences. He actually likes Miles - the man is a good friend to his wife, and he's most personable. And he's determined to be a gracious host to both Miles and his friend, although the idea of their relationship does discomfort him, much in the same way his magic does - he's been taught that it's wrong.

He draws level with the group and puts his hand to the small of Miya's back. "Olá, Miles, Byron," he says with a smile. "Como está? How are you?"

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[NPC]

Miya is beyond thrilled to see her friend again. Raoul has been very tolerant of her bounciness today, and she knows that he is amused by it. She has been very happy with him lately, for though his magic is coming slowly, they are working together as a couple more than ever.

Miles lifts her off the ground and she laughs delightedly, the sound pretty and thrilled. “Oh, I have missed you so badly. You know you are always welcome in my home.”

“Oh oui, parlez vous français! Ne vous inquiétez pas, il a dit beaucoup de bonnes choses au sujet de vous.” Oh, yes, you speak French! Do not worry, he has said many good things about you. “I am very glad you came. It is a pleasure to meet the one who makes mon ami so happy.”

She beams at Miles, who looks so happy himself. When Raoul comes up, her smile up at him is even more dazzling. It is obvious that she adores her husband. She doubts that Byron knows the circumstances surrounding their marriage—Miles is good at keeping secrets.

"Byron, zis is mon mari, Raoul. Raoul, this is Byron ... mm, I don't remember your last name, desole."

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[Miles Ritter]

Miles grins at Byron and gives him a little, 'I told you so,' wink. "Good genes," he says with a chuckle before the gates open. He's never met her brother, but he's seen family photographs of Miya and Blaise (she doesn't seem to keep ones of her mother in plain sight, but he's heard she's stunning, too).

"I really have to learn to speak French," he murmurs, more to himself. Is it just his imagination, or are they talking about him? But he's glad that it's a point of commonality for Miya and Byron.

"We need the holiday," he tells Miya. He's going to tell her all about the business and get the latest updates from her on her own later. And it's up to Byron if he wants to mention the resignation, or to give himself time to absorb it before sharing the news.

Miles is slightly wary as he sees Raoul step behind Miya to join them. They get on, mostly, but Raoul had a habit of disappearing to do work when he'd visited Miya. Maybe he's just being oversensitive, because Raoul greets them with a smile and the man extends his hand to shake.

"Good to see you again, Raoul," he says, extending his hand to meet Raoul's. And Miya gets there first in the introductions again and Miles grins, letting them get on with it. He bends to pick up his discarded luggage. "Wow - not a beach house," he says pointedly. "More like a beach palace."