(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]

"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?"

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

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

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

"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."

[clumsy_auror]

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

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

Kathleen sighs, wincing despite herself.

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

[clumsy_auror]

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

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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."

[clumsy_auror]

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."

[platonicowgirl.livejournal.com]

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

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah," she laughs ruefully. "And I love him for it. Just hard, sometimes."