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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 9, 2012 21:35:24 GMT -5
Why was she so nervous? Sidney wondered idly as she waited outside of the joke shop for Peter. She had held up her end of the bargain, even exceeded it, giving him two and a half rolls of parchment for his report. She knew that at the very least she got him a B and he should be happy with that.
All they were going to do was pick up some joke supplies for her brothers birthday and then mail them. That was all. Except it wasn't. She had quite stupidly agreed to consider getting a tattoo today. She had also agreed to consider picking Peter's. It was nerve wracking to say the least. She had thought that if they did follow through with this that she would offer him a quote that she had seen spray painted on a wall when she visited Manahattan, It had read, its bright pink letters against the gray of the concrete, "For to have faith, is to have wings". It had had no author but it had stuck with her.
She didn't exactly know why but she felt that quote described Peter very well. He was a fly by the seat of his pants guy but he always seemed to be sure he would come out on top. Some, most, would call that arrogance but Sidney liked to believe that he had faith in himself to complete whatever moronic thing he decided to do. He was also a free spirit. He had no, or very little, conscience that held him back. Figuratively, he had those wings. He could go anywhere and do anything and people would think that that was just his nature. If he didn't like the quote then he could pick his own tat. She wouldn't take away his ability to veto.
It was then, in that moment, that Sidney realized she had made up her mind. If they found a place that was hygienic then she would get a tattoo today. Her parents would probably make her into kabobs but she would do it. She had no clue what she would get but she would get one. Her stomach lurched but she felt a sense of excitement begin to rise through her body. Scanning the crowds again before checking her watch, she wondered where Peter was.
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 8:53:53 GMT -5
Time rarely mattered to Peter and being at whatever location Sidney had said at the time she said didn't particularly matter to him either. He would get there when he got there (and he would get there eventually) and that's when the fun would being.
So when Peter strolled up to the agreed upon meeting spot about 15 minutes late, he didn't look at all apologetic. "Morning, Darling." Or was it afternoon? Peter didn't own a watch. "Ready to encourage rule breaking?"
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 9:59:19 GMT -5
Sidney jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, her eyes having been directed the other way as she looked at the top of the street. "Good morning Peter. I believe I am."
A group of third years walked past and she could still see the wonder of being allowed off of the campus in their faces. Sometimes, after being cooped up for so long, getting to revisit a little slice of normal life was needed. Once they passed Sydney stepped out and moved around a woman mumbling about cats to the door of the shop. The door was brightly colored and Sidney could hear muffled sounds from inside. She had never visited this shop, mostly sticking to the clothing stores or the odds and ends. Sidney didn't have much use for pranks.
"Shall we?" She asked as she opened the door and a few kids came running out, bags full of things that were up to no good.
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 10:29:18 GMT -5
Peter smiled approvingly at the third years, the sight of fellow miscreants nearly brought a tear to his eye. At Sidney's offer, Peter headed in and took a deep breath. "Ahh yes, the sweet smell of mischief and desperation." He let out the breath and turned to Sidney. "Now. Tell me about this little brother. Likes, dislikes. Does he favor subtle, finely crafted pranks or is he more into things that make a big bang?"
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 10:41:19 GMT -5
There were rows upon rows of jokes and weird stuff that Sidney had no clue what to do with. Stepping around Peter she bent to look in cases, having no idea why anyone would want a telescope that would punch the holder in the eye. Straightening up she jumped, a little scream escaping her as a kid popped up wearing a mask. He darted around the corner and Sidney stepped backwards and into Peter before turning around, "That little brat. I am sorry for bumping into you."
Walking further down the row she shrugged, Like I said last night, he isn't malicious. He likes to scare and annoy. Not like, whoopie cushions but no punching telescopes if you know what I mean."
"Seriously?!" she exclaimed stopping in front of a shelf, "Ever-leaking quills? Don't they know how hard that stuff is to get out? Is it filled with ink? Is it at least washable? She turned the package over in her hand and began to read the tiny print, tutting every few sentences over the ridiculousness of the product.
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 11:56:11 GMT -5
The tirade on ink spurred Peter into action, covering her mouth with one hand and dragging her to the next isle with the other. "Merlin, Sidney, shut up." he hissed and looked around to see if anyone had heard her. "I said I'd help you, but if you're going to insult these fine people's religion in their house of worship, at least be quiet about it." He gave her a meaningful look them dropped his hand.
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 13:19:22 GMT -5
Sidney looked at him confusedly as he pulled her into the next aisle. When he finally dropped his hand Sidney just stared. Jokes weren't that serious but he acted like it was the best thing in the world. Her eyebrow quirked, she waved him off, "Whatever. I am sure you would do and I would say the same thing if we were in a book store."
"They're charging how much for a book?! And it doesn't have pictures? What is this...this...crap?" Proud of her imitation of Peter she smiled and pushed past him nudging his shoulder, "Oh come on, I kid. Show me what you've got here."
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 14:06:00 GMT -5
Peter had every appearance of being quite insulted. "My voice isn't nearly that high." He cut his eyes to her, seeing if he joke hit and grabbed her hand again, pulling her along the isles, elbowing several smaller students out of the way.
He stopped along the way, mumbling to himself as he looked over the shelf for a second, maybe two, before shaking his head and pulling her on again. This process was repeated twice more until finally, his eyes lit up. "Ahh, here we are." Peter motioned grandly at the shelf before turning his head toward Sidney, obviously expecting her to be thoroughly impressed.
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 14:13:56 GMT -5
He pulled her along and each time he stopped, Sidney glanced between him and the shelf wondering what he was thinking. He would mumble once in a while, his brow furrowed, but he continued to pull her along until finally stopping in front of a display of...chess games.
"A chess game?" she looked from the display to him confused. She could just get him a wizarding chess set across the way. What made this one so special? "Either I am missing the joke or, wait, is it a muggle chess set to piss off wizards?" Proud of her guess she looked at him and slowly began to reach for one of the pieces.
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 14:32:09 GMT -5
Peter's shoulders slumped and he shook his head in obvious disappointment. "No it's not a regular chess set. It's a kamakazi chess set." He picked up the closest box and turned it over, pointing to the far more animated pictures on the back.
"You set them on an unsuspecting target and the march in silently before making a lovely racket. Then they explode, leaving no trace." As he explained, the tiny chess men and women on the box demonstrated, carrying even tinier instruments like trumpets and drums as they marched along until, one by one, they blew on their instruments and action bubbles like "HONK" and "BOOM" appeared above them right before the piece disappeared in a swirl of dust. After four such explosions, the scene started over.
"And the best part is, it looks like a regular chess set, so if you're asked to turn out your pockets, you just look like a nerd." Peter looked back at Sidney again then, "I suppose you could play real chess with them, but..." He trailed off and made a face like this was an incredibly stupid idea and only a crazy person would think it.
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 14:45:26 GMT -5
Sidney listened, nodding every few seconds as she reread the back of the box. She watched the scene play out half a dozen times each time trying to picture the reaction of her brother. He liked chess; it was all they had played the last time she was home. Picturing what the look on her stepfather's face would be when John played these pieces finally sold her on the idea. He would be livid.
"Well, Peter," Sidney started, her voice not giving away whether she would buy it or not. She looked up at him and as the corner of her mouth ticked up she nodded, "You just made yourself a sale. I think he will really enjoy this."
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 14:52:52 GMT -5
Not that he'd ever admit it, but Peter had actually been a little taken in by Sidney's little act and started to worry that he'd picked poorly. As soon as he saw the little mouth tick though, he knew he had her. All thoughts of this nature flew from his mind as though it had never been there. "Go on then, tell me I'm good." He shamelessly fished for a compliment.
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 15:00:13 GMT -5
"Wasn't my asking for your help compliment enough?" Sidney stepped around him and began walking up the aisle. She knew he wanted her to sing his praises but she needed to be able to get his head through the door.
As she stood in line she could feel him. Waves of whatever he was giving off were hitting her full force until she stepped to the counter and handed over her money. She would give him the satisfaction; just not at this second.
As they stepped back into the relatively quiet town Sidney looked over at him, "Okay, fine, you did well. I knew you were knowledgeable and that was why I asked." Without waiting to see his gloating grin, Sidney began walking toward the owl post not even stopping as she called over her shoulder, "You coming Campanelli or do I need to send you an invitation?"
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Post by Peter Campanelli on Jun 10, 2012 15:45:12 GMT -5
He'd been distracted by a seventh year girl who had stopped to 'chat' but Sidney's call had him making his goodbyes and jogging after her. "As long as it's not a howler," he quipped once he'd caught up with her, all smiles and good cheer. "Now then, onto the tattoo parlor!" He looked around, first left, then right then back at her. "Do they have tattoo parlors in The Wood?"
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Post by Sidney W. Meade on Jun 10, 2012 17:47:03 GMT -5
"Do Howlers even phase you anymore?" Sidney asked as she wrapped her brother's parcel. She couldn't think about the tattoo's yet as she hadn't finished her previous task. Still she ignored him as she made her way to pick an owl even as that feeling of nervousness and excite made its way through her veins.
A few minutes later as she left the shop, she couldn't ignore it any longer. "I'm not sure if they do. she said answering his previous question. She couldn't remember seeing a tattoo parlor but that didn't mean there wasn't one. "I am guessing you don't either since you asked me." Turning back to Peter she gave him a look that said, what now? Who would they ask? Would he back out?
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