(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

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.

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora takes the mug with a murmur of thanks, setting it on her knee, hands encircling it to draw out the warmth.

"It's hard," she says slowly, "to talk to him about it. I have an easier time talking to nearly everyone else."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

"Is it?" Her brow furrows. "That's unexpected, I have to say. He's such an open book." She sips, carefully. "Dude got real good at talking after the third or so. First time was a real doozy, though. Wouldn't admit he was upset. Just went out and broke the damn tractor."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora smiles sadly. "Isn't him that's having the difficulty, it's me. Just dunno what to say to him. How to explain everything that's going on inside."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

Kathleen nods once again. "He's not pressing you, is he?"

[clumsy_auror]

"No, not really. I think he wants me to talk about it, but he isn't being pushy."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

"Good," she replies firmly. "Because if he was, I'd bend him over my goddamn knee, thirty or not."

[clumsy_auror]

That makes Nymphadora smile, albeit half-heartedly. "He wants to fix it. I can't blame him; I do too. But it's not a fixing thing."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

"Well, he's not stupid." A sip of tea. "He knows that. Doesn't stop him from driving you a little crazy in the meantime, though, does it?"

[clumsy_auror]

"No, I don't suppose it does."

The witch takes a long draught of tea and then sighs.

"Anyway."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

"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."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

"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."

[clumsy_auror]

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."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

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."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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."

[clumsy_auror]

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

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

"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."

[clumsy_auror]

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

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

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

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

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."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

"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?"