moving i n {erik/open}

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled softly, laughing a bit. "If you insist," he replied. Inside, he was cheering. He couldn't believe she'd accepted the invitation, though he was trying not to let his hopes get too high. It wasn't a date, it was two friends sharing dinner because one friend didn't buy groceries. Erik disappeared momentarily into the kitchen to set the boxes down gently, one-by-one, on the countertop. He spent a moment smiling broadly to himself, rather looking forward to spending an evening with Elliot. He had to keep reminding himself it wasn't a date...

((OOC: Do we really need them to continue moving her in? Or shall we do a time skip to when they're loading the last of her things into the flat?))

[potter]

"I do insist," said Elliot, she felt that after a day of mostly manual labour she and Erik would deserve a little wine. She would go down to the nearby liquor store and pick out a bottle of her favourite red wine. That sounded wonderful to her. She just hoped that things wouldn't be too awkward when they ate together next door in Erik's flat, although she might have in the back of her mind wanted a date, the logical part of her brain insisted that it wasn't good for her. They could be friends, but Elliot wasn't going to let herself get hurt like that again. Elliot set her box of books down in the living room, biting her lip as she thought to herself a moment.

((OOC: Nah, it seems awfully mundane, haha. Why don't you go ahead and do a time skip in your next post?))

[erikoliver]

* A few hours later *

Erik wiped the sweat from his brow, leaving Elliot's apartment and heading into his own. Eying the floor, he realized he was presented with a rather large problem. Music sheets were scattered all over the floor, and he quickly ran around the living room, scooping them all into a rather large, neat pile. Placing them atop his piano, he entered his room. Elliot was running down to the local liquor store to grab some wine, and he was going to start dinner whilst she was gone. Erik ran a hand through his hair anxiously.

Slipping out of his white t-shirt, he pulled on another, black t-shirt, changing into a lighter pair of jeans. He removed the black phonies from his face and folded them neatly on his nightstand, then examined himself in the floor-length mirror quickly, running his hands through his hair to tame it. Once satisfied, he left the room and entered the kitchen, tidying it up a bit before getting out the pot and filling it with hot water. Setting it on the stove, he opened the pantry and retrieved the essential ingredients: noodles, sauce (no meat, he wasn't sure if Elliot was a vegetarian or not and didn't want to upset her at all), and a little shakers filled with ground garlic and oregano. Placing everything on the counter, he set to work. He'd told Elliot to let herself in when she'd returned, hopefully she was alright with that...

[potter]

Elliot had taken only a moment at the liquor store, she knew her favourite kind of Grenache, a nice full bodied wine. She liked that it tasted almost like raspberries. Since she had taken only a minute, Elliot had decided she would pop by her own flat to change into something that looked a little less like she had been moving all day. She set the wine down on the counter and walked into the bedroom, thankful that she knew where most of her clothes were. Elliot pulled on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a simple jade green tank top, pulling it all together with a set of silver bracelets at her wrist.

She quickly put on some basic makeup, wondering why she was bothering, this wasn't a date. So Elliot kept it simple with a little foundation, some eyeliner, and mascara. She stepped back into the flip flops she had been wearing earlier, and grabbed the wine. Elliot didn't know if Erik was a wine drinker, but figured that he'd at least have some wineglasses over at his flat. She took a deep breath before leaving her flat and going next door. Erik had told her to let herself in, but she still knocked before going in anyway. "Hello," said Elliot as she stepped inside, closing the door behind herself.

[erikoliver]

Erik turned his head slightly, leaning back just enough so he could see Elliot. He heart dropped into his stomach and his breath caught in his through. Even with simple makeup and casual clothing, she looked stunning. Of course, Erik though she looked pretty without makeup, but he didn't feel that he was at liberty to tell her that. "Welcome," he replied with a grin, bringing his attention back to the task of finishing the spaghetti. "I keep the wine glasses up there," he said, tipping his head to the cabinet to the left of the fridge. Inside were a varied array of stemmed and stemless wine glasses, beer mugs, and shot glasses, though it was rare any made it out of the cabinet. Erik liked his bottled brew, particularly his firewhiskey. Still, he loved wine as well.

Erik bent down and got into the cupboard at his feet, retrieving the strainer and setting it in the sink. He carefully transferred the noodles from the pot and into the strainer, careful not to lean into the steam rising. Placing the pot back on the stove, he quickly mixed the herbs and spaghetti sauce into a bowl, then pouring the noodles back into the now slightly cooled pot. Erik retrieved two plates and two sets of silverware, as well as the bottle opener for Elliot. "Unless you'd prefer to use magic," he replied with a slight smile.

[potter]

Elliot looked around a moment, Erik's flat had a layout identical to hers, but reversed as if in a mirror. She leaned against the counter, the wine still in her hands as she watched Erik go about making their dinner. It looked a lot better than the Chinese takeout she had been contemplating, and since she was beginning to allow herself some carbs the pasta would be a more than welcome food. Of course, she would probably not eat very much. Her anorexia might not be as pervasive as it used to be, but it was still a continual struggle, she just prayed Erik wouldn't notice.

"Well other than that spell in the parking lot I've been all muggle today, so why not?" said Elliot, using the corkscrew with as much hand strength as she had. With a pop she pulled out the cork and then began pouring the wine into the bulbous stemmed glasses she had selected from the cupboard. "I hope you're a wine-drinker," said Elliot once she had poured two generous glasses, "I didn't think to ask before I bought it." It was a fruiter, sweeter kind of wine, it wasn't one someone needed to necessarily develop a liking for.

[erikoliver]

Erik nodded, spooning some spaghetti on his plate. It was a generous amount, but it wasn't much. He didn't want to look like a pig in front of Elliot. "You can serve yourself if you want, I'm not too good with getting portions for other people," he explained, setting his food upon the table. Taking the wine glass, Erik sipped his wine. It was delicious, and he made note of the label. Perhaps he'd pick himself up a bottle one day soon. "It's wonderful, thank you," he replied with a smile. He pulled out Elliot's chair and then sat down in his own, taking another sip of wine.

Erik laughed a bit to himself. "All we need is some lit candles and some music and this could be a regular Italian meal," he noted, smiling. "I could always go get my accordion," he joked, laughing a bit more. Erik grabbed his fork and dug into his meal, being extra careful to eat smaller bites and not gorge himself in front of Elliot. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass himself. For whatever reason, he wanted to make only the best of impressions on this girl he once dated... and still felt for.

[potter]

"Right," said Elliot, gladly dishing herself up a portion. She took less than half the amount that Erik did, she saw no need to plunge in and take a normal-sized serving and make herself ill. Elliot needed to work her way up to it, she knew the process would take a long time, Seth the healer had told her so when they started. She picked up her potion and went and sat down across from Erik. His flat was kept nice enough, if not a little less organized than what she would keep it if it were her own. Elliot sipped her wine, she had gotten a very good bottle that time.

"We might as well be in Italy," said Elliot with a small smirk before picking up her own fork and knife. She took small, delicate bites like always. She resisted the temptation to tear up her spaghetti to make it look more eaten than what she would actually eat, but if Erik distracted her well enough she might end up finishing her plate. "It might be amusing to see you try and play your accordion and eat at the same time," said Elliot, and then allowed herself a sip of wine.

[erikoliver]

"Oh, would it now?" Erik asked, smirking slightly. "No, I'll annoy you with it after dinner," he replied with a small laugh, placing his fork upon his plate and grasping his wine glass. Taking a sip, he savored the flavor. Erik would in no way consider himself a connoisseur of alcohol, much less so when it came to wine, but he knew what he liked. The raspberry taste was hanging on his tongue, mixing oddly well with the spaghetti. Erik considered the fact that he was probably enjoying the food a million times more, now that Elliot was there with him, and smiled a bit to himself.

Erik paced himself with his meal, not wanting to scarf it all down like he normally did. Erik wanted nothing more than to impress Elliot. Maybe, with plenty of work, the two could rekindle something. After all, the meal, though still in its early stages, was absolutely lovely, and it was starting to remind Erik of old times. He would have thought the whole ordeal would have been awkward at the beginning of the day, but now that he was in the position he was in... well, he rather enjoyed the feeling.

[potter]

"You seem awfully sure of yourself," said Elliot after swallowing a long sip of wine, "who's saying I'll hang around after dinner?" She added a quick wink, she didn't want to be rude or rush out too quickly, but she really couldn't stay for too long. She wanted to get a couple of hours of sleep before she had to head to work in the morning. Not that it was exactly late yet, but she had somehow not managed to sleep more than six hours a night in over a week. Not from overworking, but insomnia had struck her once again, it would periodically, but it was never like this.

Elliot took another dainty bite of her spaghetti, it didn't taste all that bad, she had just hoped that Erik hadn't gone through too much trouble to make it. Though it didn't seem to be terribly complex. Elliot sipped her wine glad she had chosen that particular kind for the evening, it seemed to compliment each flavour of the meal, mixing well with the tomato, garlic, and other spices she picked out in the sauce.

[erikoliver]

"I'll allow it, so long as you won't be shy, neighbor. You're welcome over anytime," Erik replied with a smile. He finished off his spaghetti and stood from the table, going to the sink. With a wave of his wand, the dish and silverware began to wash themselves. Erik excused himself for a moment, going into the living room and grabbing his accordion. He reentered the kitchen, playing a little ditty and laughing. "I had to make sure I could annoy you with it before you up and left," he explained, laughing once more.

Erik played another, slower, smoother melody, then placed the accordion on the kitchen counter, returning to the table and grabbing his wine bottle. Taking a sip, he closed his eyes, leaning against the table and savoring the taste. "Thank you," he said finally, quietly, opening one eye and looking at Elliot. The girl had barely touched her spaghetti, but that wasn't any of his concern. Perhaps she wasn't hungry, perhaps she was just humoring him. The last thought scared Erik, but he said nothing more.

[potter]

"I appreciate the gesture," said Elliot with a smile, she didn't really have many friends to begin with, and always felt uncomfortable going over to their houses unless they had made plans or she was invited. Of course, that was a different story when it came to family. Her aunts, uncles, and cousins it seemed were always glad to see her. She could pop over to any of their houses unannounced and have a warm reception. Elliot, though, wasn't sure if she could bring herself to come over at any time. Erik was a nice guy, but the feelings she still had for him were confusing, things had been over, but...

Elliot secretly wanted him back, though she wouldn't admit that to even herself. It was over, done, finished. It wouldn't do her well to try and bring it up again. She ate about half her portion as Erik played his accordion, with the explanation that he had to annoy her with it before she left for the evening. Elliot smiled when he concluded, he really was a good musician, and had gotten even better since they were in school. "The least I could do," said Elliot, and then returned to her spaghetti, determined to eat at least three quarters of it, so she wouldn't appear rude.

[erikoliver]

Erik opened one eye once more, glancing at Elliot for a moment before shutting it. She was absolutely perfect. Tall, beautiful, kind. Her aspiration of being an Auror had always been an inspiration to him. She'd wanted to change the world, as did he, though both in different ways for different purposes. But, they had a common goal, essentially. It was fantastic to know that she had made it. Maybe that meant he'd be able to make it too. Erik could only hope and dream that he was inspiring people with his music, no one had said anything to him thus far.

However, there were more vexing matters at hand, he realized. All his good thoughts came tumbling down, and he felt for the shard of enchanted glass in his pocket. Nat hadn't contacted him since the two had perused around the Room of Requirement looking for a way to contact him when the beatings and abuse from Giovanni started up again. Erik knew he shouldn't get so anxious, he had said for her to contact him after Hogwarts got out, of course, but it still made him nervous. What if the abuse escalated before he could stop it and take the Castel's to court? The thought was terrifying.

[potter]

Elliot brought herself to eat her mentally set three-quarters, and then decided that she would be done and stick to wine for however long she would be staying at Erik's. She would let him keep what was left of the bottle, she decided, a gift of sorts for helping her move all her things up three flights of stairs. Elliot took a long sip of her wine, she would love nothing more than to drink herself silly on it, then surely she would have no problem getting to sleep, but she didn't have the ingredients for a hangover remedy potion, and couldn't afford to go into work with her head aching.

Elliot frowned a bit when she noticed a certain look in Erik's eyes, she recognized it even after a couple of years when they had not been in each other's lives. He was thinking about something significant, that much was for sure. She sipped her wine again, but when Erik failed to say anything she decided that she ought to speak up. "Your mind isn't here, is it?" said Elliot, still casually holding her glass of wine as she watched Erik, waiting for him to answer.

[erikoliver]

Erik was almost rudely brought back to reality by Elliot. "Hmm?" he replied, shaking his head slightly and looking at her. Laughing awkwardly, he ran a hand through his hair. "Yes," he finished, itching at his tattoos nervously. He hadn't told anyone yet, that he was planning on taking a Muggle family to court over their Muggleborn witch daughter. Could he trust Elliot with the information? Erik realized what a stupid question that was, he knew he could trust her, with his life if he had to. "It's... quite the story," he replied, looking down at his feet.

"I've... befriended a young witch. Her brother... was an enemy of mine, I suppose. Mutual hate, wizard to wizard, so he had his parents dump this girl off at my house, to annoy me I suppose. Well, it didn't. I learned she was a witch, in her first year at Hogwarts, and we're... like family now. I learned that her brother beats her, so I'm planning on taking the Muggles to court for custody of their daughter, since they know what's going on and won't help her. Once I get proof, I'm going to court," Erik explained quietly.