first note passed ✉ video;

[glom]

[ There's the whisper of not-quite silence that indicates the device is recording, followed by the sounds of someone obviously fiddling with it, like Emily's realized what a bad idea showing her face to the network could be, and might just turn the device off and call it a day. It takes a minute, but the video eventually clicks on. ]

So.

[ No going back now... ]

Everyone's got this moniker that their parents gave them, and it stays with you- its, really, the only thing that can't take it on the heel and toe, dig? And- I mean, there's gotta be some thought that goes into giving a person a name, like... your parents know you're coming and they've got all these gowed-up hopes, savvy? That you're gonna be this tomato of a doll, that you're gonna be a right gee, that maybe you'll end up a little bit like both of them- [ A glance off screen, chewing on her bottom lip. ] Or nothing like either of them...

But they've gotta choose this moniker that's going to stay with you for the rest of your life, that stands to define you, and--

[ A hopeless look, like this is the edited and condensed version of a much longer conversation she's had over and over with herself- one she's well past frustrated with. ]

How does someone do that?

Comments

[theshabbiestofmen]

[He smiles at her-- because okay, pregnant things are a little bit of an uncertainty, but he certainly likes babies.]

Best of luck. I should think a girl will be much easier to deal with than a boy.

[glom]

Thanks. I'm gonna need it on this rust bucket. [ They all could, really... ]

Well, she hasn't given me the broderick yet, so I'm hoping she won't ing-bing when the time comes.

[theshabbiestofmen]

Sorry, I-- what? I'm afraid I'm not quite familiar with your slang.

[glom]

She's uh, [ emily lays a hand on her belly ] been lying dormy? Taking it easy? Last time Dr. Tam and I barbered, he said she could get feisty, kicking and stuff, savvy? And that she could leave me really cooling it.

But no dice, so I'm hoping that translates outside as well.

[ Did that make more sense? ]

[theshabbiestofmen]

[Ye-es. Yes. He thinks so, though he isn't entirely certain on all the words.]

It does. Yes. Sorry-- er, where are you from?

[glom]

San Clemente.

[ Whiiiich... probably doesn't tell him anything, so she'll clarify. ]

Its a berg in California.

[theshabbiestofmen]

Oh! Yes, I've heard of-- well, the state, anyway. Is the city more north or south?

[glom]

South- right outside of LA. No matter where you live, you're never more than ten minutes from the beach, dig?

[theshabbiestofmen]

Quite. That sounds brilliant, to be honest. I live in Scotland for most of the year-- and it's quite nice, but it's also quite chilly. I wish we had warmer weather more often.

[glom]

Only most of the year? You move around a lot?

[theshabbiestofmen]

Boarding school, actually. I spend September to June in Scotland, and the summer in England with my family. It's quite nice, actually. It's like a second home.

[glom]

Oh. [ Emily attends public school because her parents never had the time to look into private schooling- they lived comfortably, but she's not sure they could afford private school even if they had looked into it. Boarding school in Scotland sounds pretty swank, as far as she's concerned. ] And, how long have you been here?

[theshabbiestofmen]

Five years now. It's standard for all wizards-- we need to be taught how to use our magic, you see, or it sort of spills out and effects everything around us.

[glom]

Wizards... [ There is a face here, like Emily is trying to see if Remus is trying to pull a fast one on her- or if their wires are colossally crossed. ]

Really? Hocus pocus and all that jazz?

[theshabbiestofmen]

A wand and everything-- I'm not lying, I promise you.

[glom]

Bad form to promise without offering the up and down.

[theshabbiestofmen]

[He gives a little roll of his eyes and slips off one of his boots. Scooting back, he tugs out his wand and gestures-- and oh, shit, the boot is levitating!]

Proof enough?

[glom]

[ As the boot lifts off the floor, so do Emily's eyebrows lift nearly to her hairline. ]

Wild! That's absolutely wild!

[theshabbiestofmen]

[He laughs happily-- and yeah, okay, he's more than happy to show off for a pretty girl like this.]

I can do more, if you'd like?

[glom]

Yeah, lets see it, Houdini.

[ Emily has seen the men at carnivals pull coins out of little kid's ears, but she's never seen anything like what Remus is doing. ]

[theshabbiestofmen]

This is, ah, sort of girly--

[He lifts his wand again, his mouth pursed in concentration-- and soon lights begin to appear, glowing softly, like little stars. They come in all different colors, red and blue and green, and Remus laughs quietly as they emerge.]