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Post by kat44 on Mar 23, 2012 23:33:00 GMT -5
It was strange, the transition from work to home. Sometimes, Ivey would completely forget the days, weeks, or even months of work and just sit at home in her small apartment, relaxing. Other times, a specific person or incident would affect her and stay with her even when she tried to block all thoughts of work from her mind. Isaac was one of the people who just wouldn’t leave her mind once he was released from St. Mungo’s. She worried for him; during his time at the hospital he was anxious, unpredictable, and sometimes scared. Of course, being the Healer that she was, Ivey had given her absolute all to make sure that Isaac left the security of St. Mungo’s healthy enough to live without too many problems.
Generally, Ivey would say goodbye to patients and that was that, they were never a part of her life again, except in dreams. But somehow, Isaac had stuck with her and they soon became tentative friends. To Ivey’s mind, it was a sort of ‘I’ll be your friend as long as you let me look after you’ situation and without further ado they became more than just patient and healer.
It hadn’t been long since Isaac’s time at St. Mungo’s and the two of them had yet to see each other outside of either work of cafe.
And then Ivey had gone an invited Isaac to come to her home, he tiny, pathetic home. The flat was positively petite and Ivey was embarrassed to show it whenever friends came by. She shouldn’t have been ashamed, she could easily get a new flat if she wanted (money was no issue) but it was more the fact that the larger the flat, the more lonely it became and Ivey abhorred loneliness. Sure, she was fine with a comfortable solitude, but a big empty space with nobody and nothing else to fill it just seemed so... sad to the woman.
Yet she had still insisted that the man come and visit. Stupid, stupid girl. If he even mentioned the cramped feeling of the flat, well, let us just say that even the strawberries in the fridge wouldn’t compare to Ivey’s cheeks. Ivey didn’t even really know Isaac’s full personality yet, he was very guarded and even the ever kind Ivey couldn’t divulge who he really was inside. That, she thought, would be her new task – to figure out Isaac.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2012 15:15:57 GMT -5
Isaac didn't have friends. He seldom even had acquaintances. And yet somehow, since meeting Ivey, he'd seemed to have gained one.
He'd found his way back to the hospital--not intentionally--twice since their first encounter, and ran into each other many more times at the Cafe. Most of those were intentional, because somewhere between her dressing him for another scrap with Brendan and bumping into each other at the local coffee shop, they'd become almost...friends.
The word frightened him. He'd had friends before, and that had ended disastrously. Save Brendan and the gang of werewolves, though he didn't quite think they counted as "friends." Besides, he'd saved himself from their company since then. But he'd changed since the last incident, hadn't he? Learned to control himself more, to be more cautious in his actions. Things had gone smoothly since.
And now this, this companionship would no doubt threaten to overturn everything that he'd done for himself, this new way of life he'd built from the ground up. He didn't get lonely anymore, but now that friendship was so to being within his grasp once more, he realized just how much he actually was.
He wanted to think that she was just being friendly and didn't mean anything with her worry and care for him, but work colleagues didn't invite one another to their homes. And at the same time, he was almost excited for it. Excited inns dreading, frightening, foreboding, terrifying sort of way.
At first he thought he was at the wrong place. An acquaintance of his knew of the O'Clera's and their fortune, and he would have expected Ivey to have something...bigger. Why on earth would someone settle for such a place when they had could afford something much nicer?
He rechecked the address, and after making sure he in fact was at the right place, he nervously rang the flat she'd told him. He'd been fidgeting the whole way there, and he forcibly shoved his hands deep into his pockets to stop himself from doing so now. He had to stop seeming ill at ease when she was thee; she was going to get the wrong impression.
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Post by kat44 on Apr 5, 2012 14:26:08 GMT -5
Waiting when apprehensive really wasn’t one of Ivey’s strong points and she sat on a stool in her kitchen, nervously tapping her toe on the wood. Sure, she was really good at waiting for patients to wake up, get better, or even just blink; but at home, when waiting for Isaac to come, her impatience shone through.
Ivey was naturally a very patient woman; she had to be to work in St. Mungo’s as a Healer. In fact, she was well known for her patience and would generally be given the toughest of patients. But just then, as she waited, she really couldn’t muster up her usual ability to wait calmly.
Having not had another person over at her flat for what might have been nearly a year, she was understandably nervous. Still, it was highly uncharacteristic and Ivey needed to calm herself before her guest arrived. So she grabbed a glass of water, gulped it down, and sat back down on her stool (it faced the door).
Leaning back against her chair, Ivey watched the door like a hawk, watching and listening for any sign of Isaac. Instead, she was so focused she became a little dazed and didn’t hear her guest until her door bell rang throughout the small apartment.
Ivey jumped off of her stool, nearly yelping at the sudden sound. “Coming!” she called before taking a few deep breaths, smoothing down her hair. Ivey reach out, taking the door handle in hand, before tugging. On her door step stood Isaac and Ivey smiled apprehensively. “Hello Isaac.” She said before motioning for him to enter. He was actually there, and Ivey really wasn’t sure what to do... What had she planned to do for when he arrived? Apparently, any pre-made plans had slipped Ivey mind.
Ah well, improvisation it was!
Isaac looked a little (maybe more than a little) nervous. This actually put Ivey more at ease, at least she wasn’t the only one who was edgy!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2012 15:41:17 GMT -5
Grinning in a completely self-depreciating way that Isaac knew was specific to him, he dipped his head slightly as Ivey opened the door for him. Another bad habit--humans didn't dip their heads in greeting; that was a purely canine trait--that he needed to break if he was going to seem anywhere near normal to her.
It was four days since the last full moon and his shift, and he was feeling much better now than he had the two days following. Perhaps he wouldn't make as much of a fool of himself this time.
"Hey," he greeted her, smiling without showing his teeth. He'd since gotten used to her baring hers, though it would take some time yet before he was...normal enough to show his as well.
Her apartment was just as small as he'd thought, which surprised him. Though it was small, which was somewhat comforting to him--he hated large open spaces. The new flat that he'd just moved in to was barely small enough, though he was sure if he had a roommate or more stuff it would be just right. Though preferably the latter; having someone living with him didn't seem like the greatest idea.
As he walked in, he hurriedly reached into his bag to reveal the box of chocolates he'd bought on the way there. He was awful in the way of finding the right things to get for people, and he felt as though chocolates were entirely the wrong gift for such a time as this.
"Here, I got you these," he said, pulling them out and showing them to her. "For having me over and letting me intrude on your hopefully otherwise peaceful home life." He smiled again, his head dipping again unintentionally.
God, he wished he wasn't so nervous all the time! Though the familiar emotion also came from her, so he knew he wasn't alone. Though he was fearful by nature (and nurture), she was not, and he wondered when the last time she'd had people over had been.
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Post by kat44 on Apr 5, 2012 22:30:26 GMT -5
Isaac was so... unique. Maybe unique wasn’t the right word, try ‘eccentric.’ Everything he did, he did in a way that was very different from Ivey in anything that she did. Even his greetings were strange, maybe that was why Ivey had liked seeing him every time she did. In fact, she was rarely drawn to the normal people, her work friends weren’t very close to her and Isaac was almost a breath of fresh air in the all assimilated life in the Wizarding world. Of course, his head bobbing was a little odd, but Ivey had almost gotten used to his quirks already and they barely knew each other.
Ivey then grinned in response to Isaac’s smile, feeling a little better about the whole thing. Not that she was relaxed, oh no, she had every fear that she had had before about getting embarrassed and of Isaac seeing the flat. But her anxiety level was beginning to diminish, and she visibly loosened a bit as she held her hand out for Isaac’s coat, hanging it up. Ivey smiled, leading him down the short hallway to her small living room/eating area. “Welcome to my home.” She said nervously, still not fully used to the feeling of being the host.
It really had been too long since she had engaged in any real social interaction out of work.
The next time Ivey turned to Isaac he was riffling in his bag and pulling out a little box of chocolates. She gasped delightedly, grinning, “Thank you Isaac!” she exclaimed, taking the chocolates from him happily. And she was still more relaxed than moments ago. “Although my home is too peaceful, I really do stay in on my own far too much. I’m either working, at home, or in the café. Home is boring to tell you the truth.” Still smiling, Ivey wondered whether a hug was appropriate after the delicious gift, but then she remembered how nervous Isaac tended to get about closeness and touch between people. So she resorted to a little air kiss by his cheek as a thanks.
“I didn’t expect gifts.” She said a little sheepishly, “I’ve been away from social interaction for so long that I’ve forgotten what it is all about.”
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2012 11:44:20 GMT -5
The small nature of Ivey's apartment, though perhaps a little unsightly, was comforting to Isaac and as they moved through it he felt his muscles begin to loosen and his posture relax as well. A normal person would feel somewhat claustrophobic, but he was feeling more and more at ease.
Though she seemed a little unsure of it. How long had she lived here, he wondered? Was she happy with it? Her obvious embarrassment told him other things,
"You're just like me then," he joked, grinning at her. He was getting better at talking to her. "Social interaction would not be a good idea for me to engage in. Though you're welcome for the present." He shuffled his feet nervously. "I hoped that it was a sufficient present."
He walked with her, sticking a little closer than probably necessary. Even right now whole she was nervous, Isaac liked being near her. She had a certain calming nature to her, and it helped Isaac calm his nerves somewhat to just be beside her. It gave him hope that maybe one day he could have a normal life, with friends and family where he used his real name on a regular basis and wasn't afraid to go out in public often.
But perhaps he was asking too much of her. As he hadn't had friends in years, why should the burden of socializing him once more fall on her? She knew that he was by nature quite antisocial, but she didn't know to what extent. Why should she care about some lunatic that just happened across her hospital a few times? Because really, he was an odd choice for a friend. What compelled her to choose him?
He pushed the thoughts away. He was just over thinking the matter and making it out to be more serious than he'd hoped. With a closed-mouth smile, forcing himself to look at her eyes rather than beside them, he let her lead him in.
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Post by kat44 on Apr 6, 2012 22:23:53 GMT -5
Ivey grinned, noticed that the two of them were beginning to relax a little more, and the flat seemed less of a cage now that she had someone to share it with, if only for a short while. She cocked her head in confusion at the beginning of Isaac’s sentence, but it made more sense when he continued. “Just like you... Is that a good thing?” she asked teasingly, her lips twitching.
“I’m sure we’ll get along just fine then, seeing as neither of us are good at socializing. Though it might make for silent dinner...” Ivey shrugged, smiling more now. “And yes Isaac, thank you again. I really didn’t expect that, and it was a nice surprise.”
Honestly, the present had given Ivey more confidence in her flat, for she knew that Isaac was trying to be a normal friend. She smiled brightly at him as she led him down to the small couch in the corner of the room. Hopefully they could remain friends, work aside, Isaac was a nice man beneath his guarded self.
Ivey had always been very open in her emotions, except with patients. She had troubles hiding anxiety, sadness, or any other emotion. The only time she could hide what she felt was around her patients, she felt that their need was greater than hers and a nervous Healer is a panicked patient.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Ivey asked, turning to Isaac and motioning for him to take a seat. “I’ve got a little bit of everything, so choose away.” Having invited Isaac over, Ivey had gone out and bought everything she could. The woman had been over prepared... Where had the days gone when she would invite a close friend over and just be nice and relaxed, enjoying herself no matter what?
It seemed they had disappeared the year before when she actually became obsessed with her job... Ah well, at least she finally had someone to interact with at her very own home, it made her feel a little less the hermit and more the woman she really was.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2012 12:14:28 GMT -5
Isaac followed her in, taking in a deep breath through his nose as he entered, though not loud enough to attract Ivey's attention. It was more for his own comfort than anything--his heightened sense of smell would pick out anything that might be lurking, be it a pet or a person or anything else.
Luckily for him she had none, or at least none in the room with them. He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, allowing a slight smile. "I had to get something," he mumbled. "I'm not used to such hospitality."
Risking a quick glance out the window, he quickly swept the faces in the street below, trying to pick out any that were familiar. Brendan had made it perfectly clear that he wasn't going to get away that easily, and more than once Isaac had found himself being tailed by one of the pack somewhere. One time it had been Brendan himself, who had jumped him in an alley where they'd fought until a man came out and Brendan had left. Isaac had required another visit to St. Mungo's, much to Ivey's dismay. It hadn't been very long since he'd been there for the first Ike, and his reappearance had been a shock.
A low growl escaped his throat, and he hoped Ivey had missed it. She was far enough away she must have. If Brendan ever came anywhere near her, Isaac would tear his throat out. This, he realized, was why he did not have friends. Should anything like that ever happen, no ine else would hurt in the process.
"What do you have?" he asked her in resonse to her question, not wanting to ask for something she didn't have and make her uncomfortable.
He wished he had less nervous a disposition, or the grand gift of speech. It would certainly make things less awkward for the both of the if he wasn't shuffling around like a mute fool all the time. He had the urge to apologize for this, but decided it wasn't quite the right time to express such thoughts. He wished he was more social. Again his mind drifted to wonder about why exactly she'd chosen him as a friend. Perhaps he'd ask her later.
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Post by kat44 on Apr 7, 2012 19:37:59 GMT -5
“Such hospitality?” Ivey laughed lightly, “I only invited you to my home, nothing more.” She was blushing a little, unused as of yet to the customs of sociality. She grinned a little sheepishly, “Sorry, I’ve forgotten how to host.” She admitted with a subtle shake of her head. Ivey smiled, watching Isaac as she walked across the room to the kitchen where the small fridge sat. She turned around, grabbing herself a Pepsy, before hearing something. Ivey turned, seeing Isaac she smiled, but she had heard something. Not that she knew what it was and soon she was shrugging it off to respond with a list of drinks. “Well, I have Pepsi, Sprite, water, carbonated water... Umm, milk, juice.” She grinned, “Or do you want something stronger than the kiddie stuff? I have beer if you want.” Snapping open her own Pepsi, she laughed. When Ivey had gone out to buy drinks, she’d really bought drinks. Her fridge was fool as it hadn’t been for over a year! She didn’t eat much at home, work gave her lunch, the cafe around the corner gave her breakfast, and she only ate dinner at home half the time. Of course, Ivey could cook, but she’d rather not. It was always nicer to just eat somewhere else, somewhere other than the lonely place called home. OOC: Sorry its so short!!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2012 8:06:39 GMT -5
Giving her an affectionate glance, Isaac shook his head. "Don't be sorry, you're doing fine," he assured her. Another half-smile, there for a mere fleeting second before it was gone again. "And besides, it's much more than I'm used to anyways."
He mentally kicked himself when he saw her notice his growl. It had been days since his last shift; he should not be slipping up like this. He wasn't a new werewolf anymore; he had many years experience to keep down the urges like that. Only the new ones made such mistakes. Instead of dwelling on the matter he distracted himself by watching her as he often did, his eyes not missing a single movement she made. It made many people uncomfortable, his staring, and he hoped that he'd been doing it long enough to Ivey for her to have grown used to the otherwise quite rude action.
Briefly he considered her offer, but decided that it would be better not to have alcohol this early in the afternoon. Especially not in an unfamiliar place. "I'll just have the same as you, thanks," he told her, not wanting to be a bother on her. Goodness did the girl have a lot in her fridge though! She was prepared for anything.
He must have been an awful houseguest. Sitting on the edge of the couch, in a position that he could see both the door and the window from, he continued to watch her as she snapped open her own drink. Hopefully she wouldn't find is staring rude, and when he caught her eye he gave her a smile of apology.
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