clumsy_auror | (no subject)

(no subject)

Distractions are a positive thing.

Books are somewhat helpful, but her attention keeps wandering; the television or music are even less effective. Doing something with her hands is a definite improvement, so Nymphadora's sitting on the couch with a scrap of fabric, a spool of thread, a needle, and her wand in her hand. She's practicing the sewing spells Molly taught her.

As a concession to Bernard's nerves, there's a blanket tucked around her legs, and a cup of tea on the table in front of her.

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That crinkle between her eyebrows is back. "You want me to leave you to yourself, sweetheart? I won't be mad."

"No-- no, not at all," she says quickly, reaching over to put a hand on Kathleen's arm. "'S nice just talking with you. Haven't had much of a chance to do that lately, you and I. Always something else going on."

"Well, not much to say on our end." A shrug. "Late fall's always pretty slow. I'm wondering if we should get a cow or something to give Dude something to do with his hands besides kill the tractor and fix it all winter."

She snickers, at that. "I'd go for a couple of goats, if I were you. Not quite so heavy if that accidentally stand on your foot, and far more entertaining."

"Best stay away from sheep, though. Jimmy Berger'll never leave them alone."

She laughs harder and gets up, walking over to the kitchen and returning with a plate of assorted baked goods.

"...What was it about Dude, Kathleen? Tell me how the two of you fell in love."

Kathleen shrugs, smiling. "Not much to tell. I taught philosophy at Whitman for a few years, and liked it all right. Buuuut, it was the '40's, and a girl didn't just teach and teach and not get married." She sips her tea, a girlish blush rising to her cheeks. "Couldn't really find anybody I liked in town, 'till Dude swept me off my feet."

"...I could see Dude being quite good at the sweeping thing," 'Dora muses, a considering look on her face. "He's really quite dashing."

"He really is." She shakes her head. "One minute I was teaching freshmen about the Allegory of the Cave, and the next I was at a farm with a damn cowboy who kept repeating himself."

The grin softens. "Can't think of too many better places to be."

Kathleen snorts. "Could've been worse, I guess, but I'll never have enough recipes using onions."

'Dora laughs, and then gently squeezes Kathleen's hand again. "You two're brilliant. You know that, right?"

The blush deepens, and Kathleen pulls her hand away, embarrassed. "I'm sure I know no such thing. We're just regular."

A somewhat shy shake of her head. "You're not. You and Dude, and my parents -- I know how lucky Bernard and I are to both have parents whose marriages are good. Better than good. Marriages I hope I have, someday."

"Well," Kathleen begins. "Well, it's easy to have a good marriage with Dude. Like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. It just all fits."

"Does it?"

Nymphadora bites her thumbnail contemplatively.

"'Cause I think Bernard and I fit -- better than I ever imagined anyone could, really -- but there are still bits we're working on. You know?"

"If there weren't bits to work on, it'd get pretty boring," Kathleen reasons. "What bits do you think need work right now?"

Frankly, "I'm shite at telling him how I feel."

"Well, that's a given, if you compare yourself to him. He's like an erupting volcano. All you have to do is try and dodge the lava."

"Yeah, I know." She pushes her hand through her tousled hair and sighs. "He's... a lot to live up to, sometimes."

Kathleen sighs, wincing despite herself.

"Hope you realize that for him it's not about either of you living up."

"I know it isn't, not really. But it's hard all the same."

A nod, and another sip of tea.

"I know. He's a very demanding person. Took up all my energy up till he left for school."

Ducking her head, Nymphadora picks a little at the edge of her blanket.

"I dunno what's worse -- disappointing him, or watching him be disappointed in himself." Dryly, "Not that the latter happens terribly often."

"Uh. No. He's too busy burning the house down to notice that he only meant to burn up some dried grass."