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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 9:40:48 GMT -5
"They make a lovely couple," said Alice admiring the picture, "Here's your breakfast. How old were they when this was taken?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 9:48:07 GMT -5
"This looks lovely. Thank you." Maxwell said brightly, as he accepted the bowl of fruit salad. "They were in their early twenties in this photo, or so I've been told."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 10:05:23 GMT -5
Alice poured the cappucinos, "You look a lot like your grandmother, you have her eyes. What's that between them?"
She smiled at his excitement. It was nice seeing Maxwell in a childish position. He seemed so happy.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 10:10:06 GMT -5
"I'm not sure, myself." Maxwell said, beaming at the comparison between himself and his great-grandmother. "I'm not sure, myself. Some small, exotic chick, I'm guessing. They were explorers, after all. I assume they came across it during one of their early travels."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 10:19:56 GMT -5
"It looks like a phoenix, after burning day," said Alice, recognizing the bird from a drawing in her parents journals, "And you should start eating that, do you want your cappucino?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 10:24:58 GMT -5
Maxwell felt as though a led weight had dropped in his stomach. A phoenix? He had never actually seen one in person, though he had seen seen photos of what one looked like. But he had never seen one after a Burning Day.... "Yes, I probably should." he said, occluding back the feelings that brought on. No, he'd have to think more about this later. "And hm...that's interesting. I had no idea." He took a bite of his fruit salad. "This is really good." he complimented. "You did a great job."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 10:26:51 GMT -5
"Thank you," said Alice, sensing a change of mood, but uncertain what, "Can we see more pictures? Are there any of you as a child?"
She smiled up and keaned closer to get a better look into the album.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 10:29:12 GMT -5
Maxwell flipped to a few pages ahead, showing a picture of his entire family, plus the Yaxleys, standing for a photo together. They were in Italy, standing in front of the Leaning Tower.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 10:38:26 GMT -5
"You were so cute!" said Alice, running a hand over a young Maxwell. He looked about nine, and was holding his mother's hand. "And Ms. Cassie, she looks so sweet! You look just like your father. But you have your mother's smile."
She couldn't help but admire the Rosebane family. They all looked so happy and carefree, enjoying a normal family vacation. She wanted that someday, for her family in the future.
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 10:40:45 GMT -5
Maxwell smiled sadly. "We went on holiday to Italy. Mother insisted that we needed to see more of the world. My father made a big deal of it, but he wound up caving soon enough. He could never say no to her."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 10:42:59 GMT -5
"You miss them," said Alice softly, meeting Maxwell's eyes, "When did they pass?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 10:47:34 GMT -5
"They didn't all go at once." he answered sadly. He wasn't sure if he should tell her, but no, she deserved a right to know. Especially when everyone else already did. "My family passed on in different stages. Each generation died ten years in succession. Starting with my great-grandfather, and ending with my parents." He gave her a serious look. "In truth, It'll happen to me one day as well."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 10:51:20 GMT -5
"Even the ones that married in?" asked Alice, surprised. It sounded odd, like some kind of curse. She couldn't understand how deaths could be so well organized. It was definietely unnatural! "That sounds like a curse," she said with a frown, and then glanced at Maxwell in worry, he was cursed?
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 10:55:22 GMT -5
Maxwell swallowed thickly. "Yes, it is." he answered gravely. "We call it the Rosebane Family Curse. But according to my great-grandfather's journal, it centers around a phoenix."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 11:02:45 GMT -5
"I'm so sorry," she said, putting her untouched plate down. She moved her hand to his cheek, caressing it, "H-How long do you have? Is there anything I can do to help?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 11:06:19 GMT -5
Maxwell shook his head. "Nobody has been successful in stopping the curse. But, that is one of the reasons I've chosen now to go after dementors." he gave her a look. "I'm going to take a dementor's power, in order to stave it off. With any luck, the curse will fade away."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 11:12:42 GMT -5
"That sounds dangerous," fretted Alice, "I hope it works. You'll need your energy though. How do you want my help?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 11:16:10 GMT -5
Maxwell considered her. The whole reason he had befriended her in the first place was to use her skills. But now, she meant so much more. "In truth, I just want you to be here. I already know that you'll work as my healer, but the more positive feelings I'm surrounded by, the less likely I'll be affected by the dementor's darkness." Maxwell sighed. "My great-grandparents did foolish things with magic, and our entire family had to pay the cost."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 11:23:32 GMT -5
"I can do that," Alice said with a smile, "I can stay with you as long as you want. Now, eat your salad, if I'm going to be positive for you, I need to make you well in all aspects, including your health! Are there any other pictures you want to show me?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 11:26:08 GMT -5
Relieved that Alice wasn't crying over him like Cassalina had when she found out, Maxwell took a few more bites of his fruit salad and showed her a picture of Octavius running away from a fuming Cassalina. They were still in Hogwarts back then. "Octavius decided it would be a good idea to ruin her brand new dress robes.
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 11:30:44 GMT -5
"She must have hated that," said Alice, trying to be cheerful. She wasn't going to spoil the mood now. "What year were you all in?"
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 11:37:22 GMT -5
Maxwell laughed. "She was in second year, I was in third, and Octavius was in fifth. He may be the older of the two, but he's also the bigger kid."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 11:40:31 GMT -5
Alice kaughed at that, smiling as she watched Cassalina chase Octavius in the picture. "I always wanted siblings to tease, and play with when I was younger," said Alice, "It would have been nice having an older brother. Octavius does give off that feel, though, when he wants to." She thought back to his advice the other night with a smile, "Someday in the future I want a large family."
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 11:43:24 GMT -5
"That is a wonderful goal to have." Maxwell said, smiling. "And I know you'll achieve it, someone as good and kind as yourself."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 11:51:19 GMT -5
"Thank you," said Alice, warmth spreading through her as she smiled, "But I have plenty of time for that. Right now, I just want to help you." She picked up the cappucino, and sipped at it, feeling oddly embarrassed at sharing that with Maxwell. "And anyways, I've sort of got one, thanks to you introducing me to everyone and bringing me here. I can't ever thank you enough for that."
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 14:39:40 GMT -5
Maxwell couldn't help but stare at her. She was looking at him with such reverence, such gratefulness, that it shook him. Had he really done something that special? All he did was help her out for his own selfish purposes. Letting yourself get beaten up for a girl isn't selfish. Nor is killing people over her. Said a nagging little voice in his head. He occluded it. Yes, it was selfish! Very, very selfish!
"I'm happy to have given you something, then. Even if it is only through my friends." he said at last. He reached for her hand and held it in his own. "And thank you, Alice, for saving me. Not once, but twice. And for standing up for me at Brayden's funeral. It meant more to me than you could imagine."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 14:43:55 GMT -5
Alice felt her hand grow warm in Maxwell's open palm. It felt strange, even though it was just a friendly gesture, she almost felt like they were holding hands. She squeezed his hand in return, smiling up at him.
"We really should stop keeping count," said Alice, "Or we'll only be thanking each other all day long. Besides, it really all starts with you, so if we're going to thank anyone, it has to be you for starting this friendship."
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 14:49:10 GMT -5
You wouldn't thank me if you knew how selfish I was. "Alright, how about we call it even then?" He set the photo album on his nightstand for a bit. "After this battle is over, I think we should go to the gardens again." He smiled fondly at the memory. "It was different, but I really enjoyed myself that day."
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Post by G. Novella on Aug 12, 2012 14:55:42 GMT -5
Alice couldn't help but notice that he hadn't let go of her hand, almost like he'd forgotten. She decided to pretend she'd not noticed, and enjoyed the feel of his warm, soft hand wrapped around hers.
"Just us, or the entire group?" asked Alice, already smiling at the idea. "We could have a picnic."
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Post by kumainpink on Aug 12, 2012 15:01:05 GMT -5
"A picnic would be nice," he agreed, smiling. It sounded really good, actually. "I think it would be a great time." It wasn't quite what he wanted, but he didn't think it would be wise to ask for more. He didn't want Alice to get the wrong idea. They were just friends, after all. "The five of us - six if Marigold joins us - would have a lot of fun." He realized that he was still holding Alice's hand and let go, feeling rather foolish. What if she got the wrong impression from that?
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