[OOM: Out by the Lake, just below where one would climb to the roof.]

[mnt_raph]

*The rain has let up enough for Raph to do some additional tinkering on his bike out back. Sure, he could easily be doing this inside, but since his tent fried forcing him to move back into the bar proper, he take any opportunity to be outside that he can.

It's not claustrophobia. It's just...being outdoorsy. Yeah, that's it.*

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

It's been a stressful few days for Nymphadora.

But there's no reason to take out her frustration on her kids, who both blinked at her when she got home and snapped a bit at the noise and general clamour they caused. They were only excited to see you, she thinks to herself miserably, as she shuffles through the tall grass. Bernard had given her a kiss on the cheek and gently pushed her in the direction of the back door.

Nothing like practicing a few good hexes to take one's mind off things.

But then the gleam of the bike's chrome catches her eye, and she sees Raph.

[mnt_raph]

*Raph, bless his simple soul, doesn't see her right away. His thought processes at the moment can be summed up in one word: BIKE.

BIKE. BIKE. BIKE. movement. BIKE. BIKE. purple. BIKE BI...purple?

He looks up, and his eyes widen ever so slightly at the sight of Tonks.

Yeah, he remembers that conversation with Bernard, how could he not.
And yeah, he's well aware of the fact that his game is off, what with Hephaestus fixing his sai.

Raph silently nods in her direction.
The moment she moves for a wand...he's SO outta here.*

[clumsy_auror]

She's not angry. Not at him, anyway. "Wotcher, Raph." Tonks' voice is quiet, and the witch shoves her hands in her trouser pockets as she walks over to him. "Bike looks good."

[mnt_raph]

Thanks. Paint ain't done yet, but that's gotta wait for a time when there's more Sun.

*Raph looks up at the simulated Scottish sky.*

[clumsy_auror]

A nod. "It'll come."

For a moment she shuffles awkwardly, scratching her head.

"Um. Bernard told me what you said."

[mnt_raph]

*Wow that bike sure is interesting.*

oh.

*A beat.*

[clumsy_auror]

"'M not upset with you. And I don't think he is, either, if that's what's got you looking like you swallowed a lemon." She smiles weakly, and takes a step closer.

[mnt_raph]

You know I'm right.

*Raph hazards a glance up at her.*

[clumsy_auror]

In a quiet voice, "Yeah. I do, now that I'm a bit more rational about it all. Guess it was just... something I never wanted to think about." She looks steadily back at him. "Hope you don't think less of me for that."

[mnt_raph]

*His brow furrows.*

Why would I think less o' you for that?

*Because in Raph's mind, Bernard is going to stop interfering.*

[clumsy_auror]

"Dunno. Wouldn't want you to think he and I were intentionally skirting the rules."

She shrugs, looking uncomfortable again.

"I dunno."

[mnt_raph]

Wouldn't think that. Rough times all 'round. Easy to just, you know ... not think at all.

*Something about this conversation bothers Raph. He's not sure what...but there's clearly something there that shouldn't be.*

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah. Reckon that was part of it." A sigh. "Anyway we're sorting out what to do."

[mnt_raph]

What's to sort out. He plays house, leavin' the fightin' to people who actually know how.

*Other people's problems are so much easier to solve.*

[clumsy_auror]

And at that, Tonks laughs tiredly. "That's what I tried to convince him to do, too. Not so much, it seems."

[mnt_raph]

What do you mean "not so much"?

[clumsy_auror]

"He's determined to get out there, Raph. The bombs really are an advantage, and he won't stop making them."

[mnt_raph]

WHAT?! He can't do that!
...
Can he do that?

[clumsy_auror]

The witch leans against the wall, crossing her arms and looking incredibly tired. "He's been able to leave the bar a couple of times; once for the honeymoon, and for a few minutes on New Year's Eve to go to London." A sidelong glance at Raph. "Bar's pretty upset that he's even considering it, so... look, none of this is for public consumption. Okay?"

[mnt_raph]

What 'bout my kickin' his ass. That public consumption?

[clumsy_auror]

And now she looks at him fully. "Don't-- Raph, I've already tried talking him down, but don't you understand this is about our kids? My world? And, as much as I hate to admit it, about me?"

[mnt_raph]

*He meets her eyes.*

No, I don't understand.

*And you know, he doesn't sound sorry about it either.*

[clumsy_auror]

She stares back at him, confused. "What--"

[mnt_raph]

*Raph uses the hand he's running through his hair to look away. In his mind's eye he thinks about that Lake party where Bernard, Tonks and Sunny sat under a tree as a family.
Where was Raph....waiting for Death.
Milliways or not, somethings never change.*

Where does he get off makin' that choice?

*He looks back.*

[clumsy_auror]

"Raph, it's his choice to make. He's still a person, he still has-- has free will, he--"

The witch is standing up straight, now, and takes a step closer to Raph. Her eyes are suspiciously bright.

"What, you think I don't hate this? You think I want him out there? Fuck no. I want him here, with our daughter and our son, making sure that there's an outside chance they'll still have two parents at the end of all this shit. If it ever has an end."

A tear slips down her cheek, and she brushes it away impatiently.

"I don't want it to be like this, but he is my husband and I have to be there when he needs me."