Whitewalker - Printable Version
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+---- Thread: Whitewalker (/showthread.php?tid=8096)
Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 5, 2021
9 March 1891 — Diagon Alley
Aside from her unpleasant encounter with Miss Jupiter Smith that morning, Juliana's day had been mostly uneventful. People were approaching her less and less to ask about the article; presumably anyone who had either the familiarity with her to care or the audacity to ask about it without pretending to care had already found an opportunity, which meant she didn't have to be on her toes quite so often. The appointments themselves were uneventful, and the fact that it had started snowing just after she'd started work had lead to a few cancellations, which made the hours in the work day drag on more than they usually did. Juliana was glad to be headed home when the shop closed, though when she climbed down the stairs and onto the street she realized she wasn't appropriately dressed for the weather at all. In fairness, she hadn't expected a blizzard when she'd left the house that morning, but now the wind was whipping and the snow was coming down so hard it was difficult to see more than ten feet down the road.
Would she even be able to get through to the Leaky Cauldron, with the weather this bad? The entrance had never been blocked before, but now there were snow drifts piling up at the corners of all the stores. She could have taken the floo before she'd left, but it hadn't occurred to her — she had always enjoyed the freedom of walking to and from work, and it was one thing her mother had not tried to take away from her yet after the Lachlan MacFusty incident. Now it seemed silly to turn back, but if the Cauldron was blocked off she'd be in a bind; she'd never learned to apparate.
As she walked she tried to stick to the worn-down paths in the road, little save havens in the sheet of white that was filling up Diagon Alley. One of these paths brought her too close to the nearest storefront, the door of which opened directly in front of her — sending at least a foot of snow that had been piling by the door barreling into her legs. Juliana let out an oof! and instinctively grabbed on to the outside of the door to keep herself from falling over — but, being off balance already, succeeded only in accidentally slamming it back towards the man who had been exiting the shop before falling into the fresh snow anyway.
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 6, 2021
On later reflection, once warmer and removed from the situation, Balt would likely kick himself for not simply sending away for the book in question, but it had been such a challenge to find the long out-of-print text (published in limited release circa 1682, the only known book on 'successfully' living with lycanthropy) that he had not wished to trust it to the post. He worked in London, more or less—how difficult could it be to nip over to Diagon Alley at the end of the way, to visit the second-hand bookshop, and to return home afterwards?
The snow, which had been building steadily when the wizard had entered the shop, had seemed to triple its efforts in the time it took him to make his purchase, if the dusty windows were to be believed, and Balt steeled himself before opening the door to the elements—
—only to have it promptly shoved back into his face.
"Daminit!" the wizard exclaimed instinctively, the hand not clutching his parcel moving to check his nose.
The snow, which had been building steadily when the wizard had entered the shop, had seemed to triple its efforts in the time it took him to make his purchase, if the dusty windows were to be believed, and Balt steeled himself before opening the door to the elements—
—only to have it promptly shoved back into his face.
"Daminit!" the wizard exclaimed instinctively, the hand not clutching his parcel moving to check his nose.
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 7, 2021
Juliana was a bit surprised to hear him swear, close at hand. She'd been expecting someone to come to her aid when she'd fallen into the snow at the foot of the door, less because she needed help and more because it was just the way things were done — but she supposed if she'd been expecting a chivalrous rescue she ought to have stopped herself from bashing him in the face with the door first.
"Sorry," she said as she picked herself up and dusted off the snow. There were two large wet spots on her skirt from where her knees had landed on the pavement, and she was feeling vaguely achey and decidedly less vaguely cold. It was freezing out here, and while she'd been moving and pulling her coat tight against her she'd been able to pretend she wasn't suffering too much, but now that she was stationary and wet it was much harder to ignore the wind. "I just lost my balance when the door opened, I didn't mean to — oh!" she said, recognizing the gentleman now that she'd gotten a better look at him. "Minister Urquart, sir! I'm terribly sorry, are you alright?"
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 12, 2021
The initial shock having worn away, and reasonably certain that no lasting damage had been done to his poor nose (there wasn't even any blood!), Balt was at last able to turn his attentions to the young(ish) lady(?) who had so clearly had an altercation with the snow. That she thought to be worried about him caused Balt a start until recognition blossomed in his mind.
"Miss Binns, isn't it?" he asked, concern lacing his words. "I am quite fine, I assure you—though I must ask you the same question!"
She did seem to have a habit of falling, but Balt suspected it might be indelicate to mention as much.
"Miss Binns, isn't it?" he asked, concern lacing his words. "I am quite fine, I assure you—though I must ask you the same question!"
She did seem to have a habit of falling, but Balt suspected it might be indelicate to mention as much.
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 12, 2021
For a moment Juliana felt a bit flattered that he had remembered her name, since their previous interaction had been short and not, she thought, particularly memorable from his point of view. The feeling was short lived, however, as she recalled that her face had been on the cover of Witch Weekly recently enough that it might not have been entirely flattering that he knew her name. Not that she suspected Minister Urquart would read a silly tabloid magazine, but the words printed on their pages had a wider reach than just their readers (or at least, that was the hope; that was the whole point of having written it in the first place).
"Wet and cold," she admitted, with a shrug and a wry sort of smile. Both would have been fairly obvious just to look at her, she thought; she was clearly under-dressed for the amount of snow all around her and the wet patches on her skirt were hardly small and innocuous. "Nothing a hot cup of tea wouldn't fix, though. I really didn't mean to slam the door like that," she said again, although she'd already apologized twice. "I just lost my balance for a moment, and then the ice..."
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 13, 2021
Balthazard hastened to reassure her. "No apology needed—though a cup of tea, I think, might be managed if we can make it to The Leaky Cauldron without further incident?"
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 14, 2021
Oh! Juliana had just meant the comment about tea as a way of illustrating how little damage had been done by her fall, not as a proposition — but since he appeared to have taken it that way, she supposed she didn't mind. Her mother would probably have had a thing or two to say about her agreeing to sit around in a pub drinking tea with a gentleman, with no one around to chaperone her... or, at least, she would have something to say about it now, after the Lachlan MacFusty ordeal. A month ago she might not have minded terribly, since everyone had already given up on her chances of ever doing something respectable with her life.
Whatever her mother's thoughts might have been on the matter, though, Juliana was disinclined to refuse. This was the Minister, not an unkempt, brash young Quidditch player. If people were going to talk about this, what would they even say? No — this was safe, she decided. And, anyway, she wanted to.
"I think I can manage that," she agreed with a smile. "But perhaps for the sake of your nose, you'd best keep your distance until we're clear of the ice. Just in case."
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 14, 2021
On the surface, Balthazar could see it would not be a long journey; indeed, the Cauldron was but half a block away, for all that its facade flickered in and out of visibility as the snow continued to fall. Still, he did not relish the notion of making the trek&mdashland, if he was being entirely honest, had not expected Miss Binns to take him up on that particular offer.
Balt took out his wand and pointed it directly in the air, casting something of an umbrella charm—currently before the Experimental Charms Committee for approval, but in his post, he did have a fair amount of access to such documents—witch prompted something of a mushroom of pale pink haze to envelop the pair.
"I've not used this particular spell in earnest before," he cautioned, "but I think it should see us there with limited incident."
Balt took out his wand and pointed it directly in the air, casting something of an umbrella charm—currently before the Experimental Charms Committee for approval, but in his post, he did have a fair amount of access to such documents—witch prompted something of a mushroom of pale pink haze to envelop the pair.
"I've not used this particular spell in earnest before," he cautioned, "but I think it should see us there with limited incident."
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 14, 2021
Juliana watched the spell take effect with a look of mild amazement. Having not even been at Hogwarts long enough to take her OWLs, most complicated charmwork was unfamiliar to her unless she had gone particularly out of her way to teach it to herself in the intervening years. Most of what she used magic for was routine household tasks, such as cleaning and dressing, and she had never seen anything quite like this.
"How exotic," she said appreciatively as she watched the pink haze cascade down around the pair of them, providing a barrier from both above and on every side from the snow. It seemed to block the wind, too, which made her immediately feel warmer and more comfortable.
After waiting for an indication from Minister Urquart that he was ready to proceed, she moved forward, careful to stay within the range of the spell. She was unsure what would happen if she tried to walk through it, since it was apparently solid enough to block the snow from getting in but also looked as though she could have dissipated it with a wave of her hand.
"What's brought you to London during a snowstorm, sir?" she asked, glancing at the parcel under his arm and wondering if it would be too forward to ask about it directly. "You don't live here, do you?"
She already knew the answer — he lived in Irvingly, and that was where the attack on his daughter had happened (which was very unusual, as far as werewolf attacks went; they happened more frequently around Hogsmeade and most frequently in the English countryside, where those afflicted with lycanthropy typically believed themselves to be safely isolated — less often in the vicinity of mostly-Muggle towns, and, at least to her knowledge, only once near Irvingly). It wouldn't do to admit that and seem as though she knew an unusual amount about him or his family, however. And she might have been wrong, anyway; conceivably, they could have moved after the attack for a fresh start. Probably not, though — it was easier to stay in a house one already owned than it would likely be to buy one with a newly-turned werewolf tagging along to the house viewings.
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 15, 2021
For a moment, Balt teetered on the edge of revealing the charm as experimental moreso than exotic; he felt Miss Binns was the sort of woman who would appreciate such a thing. Best not, he decided, however; after all, as affable as the witch was, she was still largely a stranger.
Instead, the pair set off into the snow, a slow progress.
"A book," he answered and then, "for my daughter—that is, for Miss Topaz Urquart."
Carefully, Balt studied Miss Binss' reaction.
Instead, the pair set off into the snow, a slow progress.
"A book," he answered and then, "for my daughter—that is, for Miss Topaz Urquart."
Carefully, Balt studied Miss Binss' reaction.
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 15, 2021
It struck her as odd that he clarified which daughter he meant, as though it qualified the information that had preceded it. Why had he done that? Because of Miss Urquart's affliction, certainly, but why precisely? Was this meant to caution her or scare her off as a general reminder of his connection to the infamous Miss Urquart (as though Juliana could possibly have forgotten)? Or did he mean to imply that because of Miss Urquart's condition, she ought to take his answer about the book in some other light? She was fascinated by this peculiar phrasing, and wanted to pick into it more, but realized he was hardly very likely to receive such questions positively from a near stranger. She smiled briefly and pushed the thoughts away, though her eyes were still alight with curiosity.
"I hope she appreciates what great lengths you've gone to for it," she remarked, with a vague nod towards the snow all around them. "What sorts of books does Miss Urquart like to read?"
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 15, 2021
Fear, revulsion, even pity would have been expected reactions—no matter how gaily Miss Binns had spoke about his circumstances at their first meeting. Instead, as far as Balt could discern, his declaration had been met with curiosity, but not of a malicious sort. Either Miss Binns was a fabulous actress (which seemed unlikely, given how uncertain on her feet she had proven to be in their short acquaintance), or she genuinely wasn't put off by his daugther's lycanthropy.
He couldn't say for sure which would have been less surprising.
"What does she not like to read might be a more apt question," Balt answered with a smile. "This, though, is less for pleasure and more for edification—a book on living with her condition, rather than merely enduring it." He doubted very much society would allow his daughter to thrive as a werewolf, but he was damned if he would let her simply exist, holed away in the house, until she died of old age.
He couldn't say for sure which would have been less surprising.
"What does she not like to read might be a more apt question," Balt answered with a smile. "This, though, is less for pleasure and more for edification—a book on living with her condition, rather than merely enduring it." He doubted very much society would allow his daughter to thrive as a werewolf, but he was damned if he would let her simply exist, holed away in the house, until she died of old age.
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 15, 2021
Juliana smiled at the first half of his response, but the second half had her heart rate picking up slightly. There were not a good many books that fit that particular description, and due to the nature of her work Juliana was aware of most of them. She didn't meet many other people who read the same sorts of books as she did, and she certainly didn't find the opportunity to talk about those sorts of books with anyone else. She probably still couldn't really let on how much she knew on the subject without arousing his suspicions. Since he had brought it up, though, maybe this was one area where she might be able to say a little without risking much.
"That's quite a literary niche," Juliana pointed out. "May I ask the title?"
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 16, 2021
Balthazar frowned ever so slightly at her probing, the gears in his head turning until they reached epiphany. It was a simple conclusion, really, one that explained her enthusiasm towards him, her curiosity rather than pity regarding Topaz, and the fact that, though perfectly affable and reasonably pretty, she was unmarried with advanced years: Juliana Binns was a werewolf.
Though his first reaction to this was defensiveness—he had hunted for this book; would she try to rob him of it?—the wizard quickly worked to change this outlook. Was that not the precise reaction he wished to see his daughter freed of?
"Cycles: A Novice's Exploration of Life and Lycanthropy," he offered after a beat. He realized as he said it that he had no proper evidence as to Miss Binns' condition, and during a blizzard did not seem the most prudent time to press for some.
Though his first reaction to this was defensiveness—he had hunted for this book; would she try to rob him of it?—the wizard quickly worked to change this outlook. Was that not the precise reaction he wished to see his daughter freed of?
"Cycles: A Novice's Exploration of Life and Lycanthropy," he offered after a beat. He realized as he said it that he had no proper evidence as to Miss Binns' condition, and during a blizzard did not seem the most prudent time to press for some.
RE: Whitewalker - Juliana Ainsworth - March 16, 2021
She didn't miss his slight hesitation, but she didn't have time to consider it properly. He told her the title and her eyes widened just a bit before she'd thought to school her expression into something more normal. "Oh," she said, and was not sure what else to say.
She hadn't been able to read it, yet, but she'd been trying to for years. It was a rare book, especially so long after its original publication date, but it was seminal in its very particular literary niche, as she'd called it. She'd seen it quoted in books and papers and if Crowdy Library had a copy, she might actually have considered trying to steal it, even though she had a great deal of respect for the books, librarians, and general institute of Crowdy. If they had a copy, though, it had never made it down to the floors she had access to.
Was it possible that if she made herself seem friendly and pleasant enough, perhaps someday she might borrow this book from Minister Urquart? She wouldn't steal it from an actual werewolf, but — what she wouldn't give to read it! But borrowing books from gentlemen was not really the sort of thing one did, and Juliana was unsure how she would ever be able to make her interest in this particular volume known in an inconspicuous manner.
Not that she was being particular inconspicuous about it now. She needed to say something other than oh, but nothing was coming to mind. She was saved (?) from this predicament when a large sheet of snow from a nearby roof loosed itself and slid down atop them. What might have been a very wet surprise was stopped by the pink haze of the spell, but the sudden influx seemed to have overwhelmed their magical umbrella: the air above them where magic met snow melt began to spark like an aggressive firework.
"Oh!" Juliana said, ducking her head and instinctively moving a little closer to him, although since he was holding the wand attached to the offending spell she might have been safer in the snow. "That's — very pretty, but I take it, not intentional?"
RE: Whitewalker - Balthazar Urquart - March 16, 2021
Judging by her reaction, the title had not struck much of a chord—but any further commentary on the subject was put on hold as their magic 'umbrella' began shooting off sparks. Mercifully, the sparks went up and out rather than down and in to murder them, but Balt still hastened to pull her to his side, an instinctive, protective measure.
It took him a moment to realize what he had done, only after he had shaken the charm from his wand exposing them to the elements once again. He might have side-stepped away, had the drifting snows allowed for it.
It took him a moment to realize what he had done, only after he had shaken the charm from his wand exposing them to the elements once again. He might have side-stepped away, had the drifting snows allowed for it.