The hustle and bustle of early Monday morning was always an especial level of rush that just never could be repeated another day of the week. Sure Friday had it's rush and Wednesday it's dull slow movements... but Monday? Monday was something on it's own level. Alexandra was no different. balancing papers and a box along with what seemed to have been a shoulder back.. she looked hardly the part of an auror. Perhaps a desk clerk.. a secretary. Even some kind of postal worker. So what was she, Of all the people, routing her way up the corridor to the notorious level two. This young woman certainly didn't seem to fit the bill. A quiet, twittery woman who had no real business being an auror. From height and visual disposition alone she looked hardly the part of a broom inspector- much less someone who'd supposedly been given the right to kill people. Flowers. Baking. Cuddly pets and sweets. Nice respectable things that nice respectable girls with nice respectable histories did.

That's what could've been expected for one Alexandra Eelanor if she'd been asked when she was eleven. Before the witches, before Hogwarts.. before Harry Potter and certainly before dark wizards came into her mind. Even still; despite seemingly absolutely fine, there was a sort of intensity about lovely little Miss Eelanor. Like she'd focused for long on one little thing and one day woke up to find that one little thing just managed to cause the end of something dear. Of something living. Of something that might've more or less provided life to her. It was nothing though in the present mind of the rather elusively unsocial auror- something that she managed to compartmentalize with the sort of restraint expected of an occlumens.

Yet still cuddly-kitty-selling looks aside, she did have business; important business from the looks of it that seemed to dwindle her actual attention to the world that looped around her. She looked absolutely distracted- the top layer of her mousy brown hair pulled back messily with what appeared to be a pencil and her robes managed a slight disheveled look. Even as she moved her way through the security she maintained this look.

Grr. Nighttime shifts sucked. REALLY sucked. It was Artemius' first one, and even after managing to smuggle in some (what should have been prescription strength, if espresso came as a prescription) mocha, heavy on the coffee, and sipping at it sparingly and a sudoku book and bottomless ink quill (hey, he still had those connections -- in fact, the wizard had brought a whole case of them to the funeral in case we decided we didn't want to hang out with him anymore), he was still wrestling witht he sandman at seven in the morning...

When his alarm went off, however, he suddenly became alive again. Like a second -- or, more like sixth -- wind kicked in, and he looked into his cup to find a whole glorious swallowful and a half, and gulped it down before his relief came in. They were a minute late -- it was Carson, and he was unchaperoned by Hinder, also disobediently sipping at some hot, caffeineated drink -- but Artemius happily took it and made his way to sign in. He'd just given his word that he'd earned a good number of galleons, a lovely eight hour shift the start to a hopefully pleasant week. Particularly pleasant because he had a bed to sleep in at home -- probably cold, but that could be changed quick enough. Still, ironically, he was wide awake and chirpy and in a generally good mood as he left the office, the circles under his eyes trophies, as they'd been many times before. As he pondered this strange occurence, he was reminded of nights at the Cottage, and realised that this sort of thing had happened many times before. In fact, he usually had some of the best days after Full Moons -- maybe he ought to sign up for night shifts more often.

As he turned the corner, however, he nearly ran into a witch and quickly spun about, barely missing her, but unfortunately catching one of the many things she seemed to be carrying and let out a quick yelp as he tried to save himself from a very ungraceful landing.

Almost immediately she dropped what she'd been carrying, almost seeming to reach for a wand before rather suddenly- and unexpectedly gracefully- reaching to grab his hand, righting him as best as she could manage with the little amount strength she possessed. She could've easily used a spell but honestly... most people didn't take kindly to such things. Especially in a time where running into people in the halls could mean some sort of strange secret attack on the second level. Unlikely, honestly, but not impossible. Especially with how things were. She didn't let her mind wander on that for too long however and instead inspected who she'd accidentally nearly ran into. No injuries, no threat from what she saw. Not a wanted criminal and not an auror- that was good. She tried to place his face but decided that if she spent too long on that, things might get more awkward than they'd already started out being. Perhaps at this point it was maybe best to speak.

"Sorry-" She cast a half glance downwards at the dropped items. "I'm so sorry." She spoke almost quietly; a mid level range of half shyness and uncertainty that suggested a vague sort of awkwardness. That; or else she was startled. Either way... the emphasis was clear on her apology. "Are you alright? I should've just sent this over but.. You know. Crazy times and all. I'm- Ah.. I mean-" She spoke quickly- still disregarding the research that had been dropped. People first, right? Right. She hoped she hadn't hurt the fellow.. or upset him. Or any other multitude of things that might've occurred but did not pass through her mind much more than a glimpse. Introductions. She should at least give her name if she was to run into people... it was the polite thing to do. She half looked ready to hold out her hand before deciding against it.

"I'm Alexandra..." A pause. "Eelanor. Alexandra Eelanor. What's your name?" She was clearly a nervous talker; words and pauses and glances that might've suggested someone far more accustomed to work than introductions induced by run-ins at the Ministry. Clearly she wasn't the best at this. Anything, really, that didn't involve chasing hardened criminals through the night and meeting informants in the middle of absolutely strange settings. If it'd been that things would've been fine and dandy. But this? Well... overly obsessive aurors didn't always come equipped with even the barest hints of social aptitude- especially when it wasn't even on the test.

"It's nice to meet you." She gave a small smile. By no means displeasant or rushed.. just.. guarded? It was hard to tell. Her eyes never once paused for too long, except for when maintaining some small level of eye contact when she spoke aware that in some part... that was considered polite.

Out of nowhere, Artemius felt a soft hand reach for his, and then a surprisingly strong grip stopping his unglorious descent, and without taking a second to think, took the offering and righted himself. When he looked up to see who had both nearly crashed into him, and yet also saved him from making a business trip to see his mother, he was surprised to find a flustered, miskempt little witch who was actually rather pretty. In fact, she looked rather harmless, like one of the more kindly secretaries he'd seen around here -- but he hadn't seen her before.

She looked into his eyes, and Artemius found his heart catch. Whatever her appearance, those eyes were stunningly deep. Having worked here for about a week, that meant she was powerful. He immediately gathered himself and readied himself for a humble introduction, when she looked down at the baggage she'd sacrificed to save him. She gave an apology -- she was rushing around nearly running into people, after all.

"No, it's- it's fine," he answered. "That was a bit close, though," he laughed. Subconsciously, a shy hand scratched at the back of his neck. "Sorry, I was in a bit of a rush, meself -- I barely saw you." No wonder why -- she was tiny. But then, a lot of witches in England were.

"Are you alright? I should've just sent this over but.. You know. Crazy times and all. I'm- Ah.. I mean-"

She was flustered, that was for sure. It was kind of endearing. A soft smile graced his face as he wondered about this new character. Most people here at the Ministry were unaware of common courtesy or polite behaviour, or at least, didn't bother to show a lowly wage slave like himself any respect. Yet, here was someone who seemed to be overcome and flustered by politeness. It was an amusing predicament, and it reminded him of his mother when an unexpected new arrival came to the Cottage and she didn't have a room prepared for them. Admittedly curious, he waited for her to make the first move. Some would just gather their things and go, and forget him. Still... he had the curious idea that that might not happen this time.

"I'm Alexandra," she settled on, finally. "Eelanor. Alexandra Eelanor. What's your name?"

Artemius grinned big. A friendly one. Thank the gods!

"I'm Artemius Baxby, pleased to meet you," he replied, holding out a hand.

Her smile was adoreable. A little ironic, noting the dark intensity of her eyes, but it was nice. Curse him for still being single. Could he not just look at a witch without commenting to himself how pretty they were.

"It's nice to meet you."

Her eyes were shifty -- was she nervous? Then again, these were tumultuous times...

"Would you like for me to help you pick your things up?" he offered. "I did, after all, nearly crash into you," he explained, chuckling. It was an offering he was used to giving. That the Ministry was trying to beat it out of him was worth knowing, but his mother had raised him to be a gentleman, and that sort of thing lasted a lifetime. Worst comes to worse, it would end at just that -- an offering. No knowing what kind of confidential information she might have on those papers that his eyes needed not see. At best, she would get some help, and might avoid crashing into someone else. Who knows? It was worth a shot. And for some reason, he had the strange feeling an ear pulling was in it for him if he didn't.

"No, it's- it's fine," he answered. "That was a bit close, though," he laughed. Subconsciously, a shy hand scratched at the back of his neck. "Sorry, I was in a bit of a rush, meself -- I barely saw you."

"Me too. I should've been watching closely..." some auror. Then again... in the middle of the hall at the ministry wasn't exactly somewhere she needed to border on paranoia obsessions with watching people. There had to be somewhere to relax even a little and it just so happened that the ministry halls were it. Now... once she was in her cubicle... that was a different story. She watched him a bit, subconsciously noting mannerisms and tendencies while concluding that he was with absolute certainty a nice fellow. Good; there were definitely some about the ministry that if she'd ran into them, it would've been a terrible mess. Of course, cases of those she'd just say which office she worked in... and most let her be. But still. Having to list off your career shouldn't be the prerequisite for niceness.

"I'm Artemius Baxby, pleased to meet you,"

He held out a hand and smiled a friendly smile that honestly... she didn't often quite receive from absolute strangers. Especially if they weren't another auror.. or someone she already knew. Not that it was anyone else's fault. You had to give people reasons to give big smiles, and lucky her.. today seemed to be that sort of day. She held out a hand smoothly to warmly shake his. Sure she was an awkward case.. but everyone knew about shaking hands. Her smile grew to match his infectiously happy grin.


"Would you like for me to help you pick your things up?" he offered. "I did, after all, nearly crash into you,"

"Oh, you don't have to. A wand flick is all it'll take. The magic of magic and all." She nodded while still smiling- clearly relaxing in the smallest of senses once she'd started talking about magic and paperwork. Barely, she reached back into the sleeve of her robes and produced- with possibly alarming ease- her wand. "But.. if you're not busy..." Asking for favors wasn't her particular forte and thus the uncertainty crept it's way back into her voice. "Maybe some help carrying things. I mean of course.. if it wont get you in trouble with your department and you don't mind. It'd just be nicer than having the next one I run into being someone who's not near as nice." The papers were hardly things that could be read, remembered, and repeated by anyone just casually looking so there was no concern there. It'd take multiple spells to make it through her charms and really, she didn't pin Artemius as the sort.

"Oh, you don't have to."

There were those words. Yeah, she had some polite education after all. How many times he'd given the same reply, going through the motions, though for God's sakes, he wished they wouldn't listen to the words, see the strain! Still, she had a point. He really didn't.

"But.. if you're not busy... Maybe some help carrying things? I mean, of course, if it wont get you in trouble with your department and you don't mind."

"Nah, I just signed off for the day, actually." Even as he said it, he grinned. Yeah, at seven in the morning, he was done for the day. Made him happy. He knelt down and started gathering papers, purposefully not paying much attention to what was on them, and even purposely not turning some over, to show his discretion.

"It'd just be nicer than having the next one I run into being someone who's not near as nice."

He was reminded of his first job -- watching the doors of an apparently important meeting. No one was allowed in or out without a green or silver pass. It was insanely boring, but he did have a couple of people who were obviously put out by his deterrence. Artemius had been originally under the impression that his kind of work was just a necessary evil, but it seemed that it was actually a service very much needed in this line of work.

"Yeah," Artemius replied conversationally. "I've noticed that not many people around here understand the concept of manners. I've had whole conversations with people who won't even introduce themselves. It's rather unnerving." When all of the papers were collected, he stood. "So. Where is this going?"

"Nah, I just signed off for the day, actually."

"You did? that's good. I mean, did you work the night shift? What's your job?" She questioned pleasantly before kneeling, half attempting at conversation that she hoped wasn't being too very prying or inquisitive. It was the ministry after all. More than enough secrets. But, she imagined, that if that were his career.. he'd already have a perfectly good dismissive answer. Her attention lowered only briefly when, With a single flick of her suitingly dainty looking wand, the papers organized themselves and floated into place delicately into his hands. Her own portion did the same and she smiled- almost apologetically. Magic might've felt like cheating but honestly.. why not use it when you could?


"Yeah, I've noticed that not many people around here understand the concept of manners. I've had whole conversations with people who won't even introduce themselves. It's rather unnerving." When all of the papers were collected, he stood. "So. Where is this going?"

"That's terrible, really? I guess... I don't really pay attention that much. I sometimes rush a bit too much into the office. But I can see that happening. Lots of people in a hurry..." she admitted honestly with a vague trace of guilt. "I imagine lots are wrapped up in worry. Everything going on around here it's hard not to let it get to you." A strange way to address the brighter side of things.. but at least she was trying. "The Auror's office... cubicle 10." She nodded softly and stood.

"Security guard," he answered. "It's not very exciting -- and in fact, terribly boring -- but it pays fairly well. My resume is not presently very long." And saying that your only previous occupation was volunteer work at a lycanthropy clinic probably wouldn't do too well.

"The Auror's office... cubicle 10."

Artemius nodded. A secretary, like he'd thought. He followed her to the cubicle in question and stood awkwardly at the entrance. "Where do I put these for you?"

"Security guard," he answered. "It's not very exciting -- and in fact, terribly boring -- but it pays fairly well. My resume is not presently very long."

"Sometimes you've gotta sit through that stuff. I mean... your life is probably more exciting than mine is. All I do is work. It's hard work.. but I think it's good work. No matter what anyone says." she nodded softly despite her voice holding something of an inner resilient determination.As if momentarily realizing however that she might've been too declarative she smiled- apologetically, but earnestly. "Boring can be good sometimes. Gives you time to think.."

"Where do I put these for you?"


"Oh... Just a minute. Sorry.. it looks disorganized but I promise I know where everything's at." She admitted quietly; and moved into the cubicle, rummaging a few things about- including a name placket that read off in bold black letters "Alexandra Eelanor: Department of Magical Law Enforcement- Auror" Declaring her far from a secretary. She didn't seem to notice if he'd noticed or if it mattered however and turned back towards him quietly.. pleasantness still clear. "Here we go, right here will be fine. I've got to sort through this stuff soon.."

"Oh... Just a minute. Sorry.. it looks disorganized but I promise I know where everything's at."

Polite though he was, Artemius was also a curious one. He looked about and took in the fairly neat, if unorganised place -- all of the papers were in neat stacks, even if they appeared to lack any semblance of order. Newspaper clippings and mug shots were like a morbid wallpaper, and the amount of dangerous and bloodthirsty wizards that were looking down on him were a little unnerving. But, if he could master boredom, she could master fear.

One of the other things he noticed, however, was a solitary plaque -- one bearing her name and occupation. His eyes widened a little big at that. Not a secretary. An auror. Another killer. Damn, there were a lot of those around... He remembered hearing a joke involving aurors and something called the BHLs, but he didn't think it was something to ask an actual auror, just in case. He might have to find someone else to ask that question. Still, it was reassuring to know that not all of them were completely oblivious to common decency.

"Here we go, right here will be fine. I've got to sort through this stuff soon.."

Artemius deposited the pile where she suggested, and then stepped back out of her way. He recognised a couple of the villains, and his smile became a bit more guarded. If she could deal with these slime, he had to be careful. Still. Shame a nice girl like that was wasting away her soul after baddies... but, everyone had their reasons. Nearly being a werewolf more than once made him a bit more sympathetic to the lycanthropic cause.

"Thanks alot... I think I would've spent the greater half of this morning dropping things if it'd not been for your help. I need to invest in one of those bags that carries lots of stuff..." She smiled softly and nodded brown eyes shifting over the desk a moment to survey the items. Everything was good. Perfect. Extra time even. The office itself was still half deserted- most of them off on missions or still on their way in. Regardless... she did have a bit of time to kill.


"Is.. there anything I can do for you? You helped me carry this stuff even after I nearly ran you over in the hall... there's got to be something I can do for you..." she shifted a bit, suddenly noting that his smile had changed from that happy, vivid friendliness of before into something more guarded. She adjusted herself and vaguely dropped into a bit more nervousness.

Artemius shrugged. "I was just doing as I was trained to do." He grinned sheepishly. "My mother raised me a gentleman. I just can't resist helping someone in need."

Although... "Although, if you have a spare bag, I do know quite a bit of charmwork, and I'm pretty good, if you'd like me to give you a bag you can use in the future," he suggested. "Save you a few gold coins rather than buying things pre-Charmed." He gave her a hopeful grin. He truly did enjoy Charmwork. And a bag that was bigger on the inside was a clever puzzle that he hadn't done in some time...

"Well... thank you then... your mother did a fantastic job" She smiled warmly and allowed her nervousness to subside once again. Perhaps she'd just been imagining things. Maybe one of the pictures bothered him... It seemed likely. They still bothered her sometimes, so she couldn't imagine what they did to people who weren't accustomed to things like hardened criminals in the place of where family would go on a cubicle wall.

"Really?" There was a sudden, almost excited rise to her voice that hadn't been there before. She'd been happy; she'd been nervous.. but hardly much more. "Now I'll definitely have to think up something to do.. I mean.. charmed bags and all the stuff today? You're more than a gentleman" She smiled despite being honestly lost as to just what she could do to help someone out.. Unless they had a problem with criminals.

"Now I'll definitely have to think up something to do.. I mean.. charmed bags and all the stuff today? You're more than a gentleman!"

Artemius blushed. "You're really too kind."

Great, now he was blushing. Curses...

He blushed and she smiled- pleasantly still without even the hint of relishing his blushing as quite possibly many would- especially some of women about the ministry halls who would've loved getting that sort of reaction out of a fellow.

"I can't offer much.. but how about dinner or coffee before work... or something? I've really not much of a social life.. or skills outside of being.. ah.. this..." She looked about the office silently. "But it's the least I could do."

Artemius grinned. Well, that was a pleasant turn of events.

"Sure. Er, maybe Fortescue's after, when you get off?" he offered. "My treat."

"Fortescues? That sounds nice. I don't think I've ever been.. well, not since I was a first year..." She drifted thoughtfully, though snapped back, eyes back onto Artemius.

"But doesn't that defeat the point of it? I Mean, me taking you to dinner to thank you." She smiled, barely chuckling. She'd came into work this morning hardly expecting to meet someone who'd be even the remotest beginnings of dinner. She'd expected to go home, do a bit more work.. maybe some kind of fast meal... and then there'd be sleep. Maybe she'd go out and watch for some kind of criminal if she was feeling particularly adventurous.

But going out? With a person that didn't involve business? Not only that.. but something that she'd suggested? It was the furthest out of anybody's thoughts- much less her own. The very notion clearly hadn't settled into her thoughts yet as when it would.. there'd hardly be the same level of calm to her thoughts in a few moments. The fact didn't matter yet and vaguely she looked about.

"So 6 pm? That's when I get off..." She had to be crazy.

"But doesn't that defeat the point of it? I Mean, me taking you to dinner to thank you."

Artemius grinned. "Not really. I was liable to ask you out for ice cream anyway," he answered, cheeky. "Pretty girl like you deserves to be spoiled a little bit." And I like you because you actually know how manners work, he added to himself. That in itself deserves being asked out. Way better than any of the other girls I've met at work. And, she wasn't in my division, so technically, we were hardly coworkers. Surely there was no question of business relationships...

She suggested six. He smiled. "Sure thing. Where do you want me to 'meet' you?"

"o-oh.. thank you." It was her turn to blush and realize that she was indeed actually going out. She wasn't sure exactly what that constituted.. but it certainly meant something. She did admit that if she were going to go for icecream with anyone.. Artemius was definitely the nicest choice she could think of.

"In the atrium? Or is that bad? I can meet you outside the ministry at the visitor entrance if you want." It was safer that way- standing around outside the visitor entrance was less of an issue as she saw it.

"Whichever," he replied quickly. "Visitor's entrance works, too." Not afraid of Muggles. That was reassuring. "Six, it is."

He gave her a last grin, and then nervously moved himself behind the cubicle wall. "See ya then," he added with one last wave, and made for the door. Hopefully he could get out of there before he said something stupid. Don't run, now, pace yourself. Get out, but don't make a scene. You're avoiding making a scene. That's it... that's it...

He made the door and slipped through it and lingered for a moment, hand on the other side, a grin on his face. He'd done it. He managed to ask a girl out and NOT end up looking like a total fool. The end was pushing it, but if she wasn't offended, it might be considered suave by some. Somewhat smug, he made his way to the Atrium and back to the Leaky Cauldron. A quick breakfast, and then to bed.

"Six" She repeated with a quick nod that might've, in retrospect, been too quick. She watched him move about nervously; and was vaguely thankful she didn't have to do the same- well aware that she'd probably trip something equally disastrous.

"Bye! Have a.. uh.. Nice day!" She waved back, and watched him head out the door before quietly turning to do her work. For the first time in what might've been forever, she stared mindlessly at her work- vaguely going over the strange stipulations of going out for icecream.

"Artie? Artie, darling, are you home?"

Elaine Baxby's only reply was a groan as the mass of blankets on the bed reluctantly moved. She smirked as she deposited her things, then pulled up an end to reveal the bedraggled face of her only child.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she greeted, smiling. His expression hadn't changed. In fact, his only response was a hardly understandable grunt. She grinned. "Have you gotten your eight hours yet?"

He slowly gathered himself. "That entirely depends," he drawled from the pillow. "What time is it now?"

"Err..." she checked the clock on the wall. "About ten after five."

He groaned. "Damnit. I have a date tonight."

She was just setting the kettle on the fire and stopped, turning around. "A what?"

"I said, a date," he replied, raising his torso up slowly, moaning lightly at the change in altitude as his back cracked pleasingly. "It's at six. I was supposed to be up at four..."

"Yes, I'm a bit late," she explained. "I had a new patient in -- wanted him to feel nice and welcome, and had to wait for the last of his tests to be finished. It took a bit -- the new girl is a little slow with her paperwork." Usually she got home in time to wake him for evening activities -- like dinner, which they usually did together, and then one of them sleeping or working. "I take it we're not eating together?"

"I would've had breakfast with you this morning, if you recall," he replied. "But you had a coffee with... wussername."

"Maria, right," she supplied. She gave a tsk. "Well. I suppose our social lives are finally at a healthy level. Cuppa tea to wake you up?"

"I wouldn't mind," he answered, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Earl Grey, please."

"Sure thing, love."

The two went over their respective days, with him getting ready to go out, and her getting ready to stay in. They shared a cup of tea, and then he left, kissing her on the temple and wishing her a pleasant slumber.

Fifteen minutes until six, he was standing in a Muggle alleyway, standing beside a red phonebox that had a scribbled "Out of Order" sign on it. He checked his watch, cursed his upbringing, and leaned against the brick wall, his wool coat hanging casually on his shoulders, a dark button-up shirt and slacks complimented by the only "presentable" shoes he had, as his mother called them. The trainers he wore to work and the boots he wore everywhere else were both dirty from use. These ones were the sort one wore to document signings and small tea parties. Not much, but when one's house is gone, your belongings become somewhat limited. His hair was combed to a likewise presentable fashion, versus the worked out style he'd first been seen in that morning, or the one he'd worn as he woke up, but a nervous hand still combed through it as he hoped there wasn't another visitor's entrance.

Naturally, she'd not changed clothing. A day of work might've meant a bit of casual time for others, but for Alexandra it meant focus. Research. Nothing but work for every hour she was there. Besides... going home and changing wouldn't do her much of anything when nearly everything she owned had the same look. Hardly fancy, but hardly the most stern of clothing- everything she wore seemed to be exactly like her. Underneath the robes was the usual simple dress in the event she'd have to walk home, though she owned no muggle jackets- the robe would have to do for that. She simply was and while her clothing might've held the tell-tale signs of wear and tear and perhaps a bit of a second hand store edge.. but, hey. That was her. It never had seemed to bother her before yet, now it just minorly did.

It could've been noted a strange site. Alexandra, standing in the glossy windows of the Ministry Atrium, fixing her appearance. Or, trying to. The disheveled look remained, the pencil still holding just enough hair to keep it out of her eyes and the same friendly but shy look written into her expression. She adjusted her robes, attempted to fold the sleeve just a bit to hide the ink blot stain, and looked up when the bell chimed. Late. She was late. Wasn't there some sort of rule about being late to dates that meant she was suddenly a terrible individual? She hoped not, and moved quickly for the exit. Fears cast aside for at least that moment. At least none of the others had caught on just yet to the fact that she, Alexandra Eelanor, had a date. She'd almost had asked the others multiple times what she should do, if she should change- if she should wear makeup or think up clever, girl-like things to say. What was one supposed to talk about on a date? She still vaguely wondered what he felt about aurors and if it bothered him. She hoped not, of course, not quite sure just what she'd do if he felt disdain towards aurors. She might not've been the queen of the social circle and she might not've had the same sort of prowress with men that others did.. but Artemius had been nice- not only that, there'd been a sort of.. endearingly pleasant look about him that had only furthered her interest. She was nervous, yes.. but dreading it? Furthest from it. Her mind had drifted countless times throughout the day- from the makeup to Artemius. Should she ask around for what to do?

She'd decided against it, and focused on work as well as she could manage. Ice cream. It was just ice cream. Date or no date... she could do with some relaxing, right? Right. Even when she left the office, her thoughts didn't subside. They whirled on in the back of her head, analyzing every possible thing she should do, say- even how she should possibly smile and greet him even up until she reached the red phone box. For a moment, she paused- collecting her thoughts, biting back an inner commentary on just how much better he looked dressed in the different clothing- not that the get up before had been bad. It was just... more. She smiled, shoved it aside, and exited. For once, there were no worries of a trap or a dangerous encounter- though there really should've been- and instead, warmly despite the biting cold, she smiled. She looked vaguely out of place in the muggle street wearing her robes but for the moment.. she absently didn't seem to notice. Instead, she closed the distance between them with graceful haste and offered her hand gently- though almost uncertainly. Were you supposed to shake hands? She vaguely hoped so- inwardly dreading if doing such would be offensive and thus endanger the date.

"Sorry.. I.. Ah-" She couldn't very well say she'd been fussing over her appearance in the windows in the atrium, or that she'd taken a moment to go over what she should say- both of which, of course, she'd forgotten the moment she'd stepped onto the street. "There was... work. Yea, work. I hope I didn't keep you to long, terribly sorry if I did." she smiled, and resisted the urge to act on nervous habit- fidgeting, hair twirling- anything. She smiled, and took a breath- vaguely relaxing.

"You look very nice." Her eyes drifted downwards before raising again, the same petulant depth clear. Not near as troubled as before and perhaps, just barely a bit more lighthearted. "Shall we? I-" she stopped, suddenly, as if realizing something. His clothes. Her clothes- guest entrance. The dots connected and almost hurriedly her fingers fumbled with the clasps on the robe and took it off- pointedly ignoring the winter air as she revealed a simple ensemble of a flowy, long sleeved off white blouse and knee length, slightly full grey wool skirt. She looked at home in the muggle wear, pleasantly simple and natural as she'd been before. Even the misplaced pencil still lingered in her hair, holding back just a few stray strands of wavy hair. It was every bit of what would be expected of her. Simple, light... but still just different enough to be different from the normal strand of things.

"Almost forgot" She offered half sheepishly.. "did you ah.. have a good day?" She disregarded the fact that without the robe, it was cold. It'd only last until they got nearer to fortescue's and wizarding areas when she could simply put the robe back on.

Artemius was still waiting absently, savouring the Earl Grey on his tongue, when he heard the grinding of the Visitor's Entrance. He took one last yawn - hiding it under a hand - and then faced his...date. Golly, a date. Now that he was waking up, some traitorous figment of his imagination brought up the word "nervous" and his mind responded in a flurry of nerves. Five seconds ago, he'd been fine. Still pleasantly waking up, but now, he was truly on a date. Curse the world.

In an amusing note, she stepped out of the red phone box with a warm smile, although with her Wizarding robes still on her shoulders. Not seeming to notice, she hurried to him rather delicately and then offered a hand. He smirked. She was definitely an odd bird... He took her hand and shook it with a nod. "'Ello, again."

"Sorry.. I.. Ah- There was... work. Yea, work. I hope I didn't keep you to long, terribly sorry if I did." She smiled and kind of gave a huff -- trying to catch her breath -- whether from rushing to not be late or nerves, he couldn't be sure. Now that he was in the situation, he was a bit unsure of what to say.

"Err... you're not late." Actually, she probably is, reminded his cynical side. "Well... not extremely late. I'm early, so, I'm used to waiting." That sounded rude. He grimaced. "I mean, it--" Go ahead, keep screwing it up. "Nevermind. You're fine." Curse these nerves. They're going to be the death of him.

She seemed to be trying to find out what to say. "You look very nice."

You look gorgeous. In a very Ravenclaw, bookish, I found my girlfriend in the library again and we were passing mushy notes under Pince's nose but don't tell anyone as they weren't exactly PG-13 kind of way. Not that he'd ever had a girlfriend like that, but then, he hadn't exactly had any girlfriends in Hogwarts. He was always out on family business all the time. "You look very nice as well." Her robes probably weren't tailored, but they fitted her well, nonetheless, and were quite flattering. And the colour brought out her eyes. As was usual, Artemius made a futile wish to be an at least decent if not rather well skilled painter so he could capture the colours. But, he wasn't. A cartoonist, perhaps, but not a painter.

"Shall we? I-"

And then she stopped. He almost made to ask her what it was before she kind of gaped in horror at herself and then flew to remove the robe. It was a bit surprising how fast she was -- must be an auror thing.

Underneath, however, the bookish dream girl impression came back tenfold -- a flowy, long sleeved blouse and a grey wool skirt that just teased at her knees. Mind, that brought his attention to her bosom and legs, but he tried to keep his eyes from lingering too long. Lordy, they were only going out for dinner and ice cream. So innocent. Why were his thoughts not? He tried to remain serious, but was sure his eyes were darkening, and allowed the evil grin that wanted out so bad to reveal itself only in the smallest and gentlest of smiles. Maybe she would think he was humouring her for her mistake...

"Almost forgot," she explained sheepishly. That was SO adoreable. How was this girl single? "Did you, ah.. have a good day?"

He decidedly tried to pin his ocular organs to her face -- it was a very pretty face, with a soft smile and these great big, beautiful, gorgeous eyes... Schoolgirl connotation again. This was not going to end well.

"I spent most of it asleep, but it was good. Breakfast, sleep. Then tea with my mother." Wandering eyes, why do you torment me so? Face! "How about you?" Was it his fault that these simple skirts were so very nice? And kind to the curves a girl had? It wasn't his fault.It wasn't his choice. And was it bad that he was enjoying it?

She noted the smirk and bit back an apology. Maybe hand shaking wasn't what you were supposed to do. Inadvertently, she wondered what, then, you were supposed to do. Just say hello? It didn't seem personal enough. But more than that seemed like some breach on the strange and mysterious rules of dating. Even still, she seemed to vaguely relax just a bit as he spoke- his own nervous greeting not too far different from her own only endeared him more, and she smiled pleasantly.

"Err... you're not late." ... "Well... not extremely late. I'm early, so, I'm used to waiting." That sounded rude. He grimaced. "I mean, it--" Go ahead, keep screwing it up. "Nevermind. You're fine."

She smiled cheerfully. "That's good. I'd hate to hold things up. It'd be an insult to the profession" She joked as best she could manage in the only topic that she really knew in and out. Work.

"You look very nice as well."

"Thanks! I wished I would've had a chance to change... but oh well. These things really are some of my best." She smiled with the same pleasant, flustered air though seemed to be relaxing. Honestly she couldn't quite help it. She'd devoted so much time to work that she'd never really been the sort to get too social. Sure; she had those friends that managed to persevere through her uncertainty... but generally she was just too distracted. But now? She really was trying. The added bonus was just who she was socializing with he wandered how she was single probably just moments after she'd wandered the exact same thing.

At the same time, however, it took her a few moments to get his reaction to her quick change. Sure, she was aware of the implications and definitely knew what it meant to be attractive. But that mean that she caught on quickly? Hardly. It wasn't until his eyes wandered that she caught on, and blushed as vivid as expected from a girl who wasn't particularly adjusted to the concept of being 'checked out'

"I spent most of it asleep, but it was good. Breakfast, sleep. Then tea with my mother." Wandering eyes, why do you torment me so? Face! "How about you?"

"Just a lot of work, you know." she paused, barely twirling a strand of hair. "No rest for the wicked so I've got to be sure keep up." She smiled, though followed his eyes. Many girls might've gotten angry or maybe they'd bat their eyes appreciatively and hint at more. But Alexandra? She blushed even more underneath the attention, even when he moved his focus back to her facial features. She was thankful for her restraint with more intrusive abilities, and resisted any urge to cheat with legillmens. Not that she really needed it to guess at the thoughts that flitted about his mind. Even she understood that much. Furtively, her eyes just barely lowering to their feet in earnest nervousness.

Nice shoes. Her mind took the moment to calm down, to hold back any sort of observations of her own. Gently, her hair fell fowards into her eyes, hiding the vague nervousness that brimmed behind her features. Breathe. Think. It's alright, people look at people when they're on dates. She smiled and smoothed a hand along the fabric of her skirt before raising her eyes back upwards to meet his. She had to say something- anything. Her awkwardness subsided if only a little, and the blush faded from her cheeks- if only a little.

"That must've been nice. The tea. I mean." He spent time with his mother. That alone meant more than all the nice shoes in the world. "It's been a long time since I went out for.. anything. Distracted me from really working all day." The added bonus, of course, was that she was was going to get conversation that didn't revolve around the newest criminal mastermind.

She smiled cheerfully. "That's good. I'd hate to hold things up. It'd be an insult to the profession."

He grinned. "Nah, I'm used to staring at walls all day. It's nothing new." He chuckled.

"I wished I would've had a chance to change... but oh well. These things really are some of my best."

"They are, ah..." Could he think of a word that wouldn't be taken badly. "They are very nice on you."

"Just a lot of work, you know." She twirled a strand of hair in a way that was insanely adoreable. "No rest for the wicked so I've got to be sure keep up." She was blushing, and he realised it was probably because of his attentions. Or lack thereof. He blushed as well.

She glanced down nervously, and her hair fell into her eyes -- golly, that was cute. He felt his nerves getting the better of him again. She smiled and smoothed the sides of her skirt -- damn, that didn't help. He looked out to the street, where Muggles were walking by, not noticing them at all.

"That must've been nice. The tea. I mean."

He nodded. "Earl Grey. And sugar." He grinned.

"It's been a long time since I went out for.. anything. Distracted me from really working all day."

He grinned. "Which is why I'm here. Shall we then?" There we go. Coherent sentences. Let us move on!

"Earl Grey. And sugar."

"sounds fantastic. Nothing like afternoon tea with family" Was there a hint of something of a sadness behind those words? It wasn't clear. Instead, she shook it off and smiled, though it didn't spread to her eyes as it had before. She saw him blush, and vaguely her smile broadened to her eyes.

"Which is why I'm here. Shall we then?"

"Of course." she smiled pleasantly and turned to follow along, pleasantly regarding the muggle street around them as they moved along. Her eyes pleasantly drifted between the street and him only shifting to studying their surroundings with obsession a few times which was for her, rather exceptional. Somehow the ritual of watching relaxed her in a sense, incorporating her work in such a manner that it made things easier for her to adjust to. Was dating a bad idea? Maybe. For the moment, however, she let herself enjoy it. She'd worry later.

"so before the ministry... what'd you do? I mean, since you just started there, and all." she continued to make pleasant conversation as they walked along easily keeping pace beside him despite height differences.

"Nothing like afternoon tea with family."

"You could say that."

They made their way out onto the main street, and Artemius found he wasn't quite sure what to do with his hands. Obviously holding hers was far too forward -- but clutching them together was awkward, and shoving them in his pockets seemed a bit rude. She he sufficed to let them linger at his sides, swaying along. He kept his main focus on the street -- he didn't quite remember how far it was to the Leaky Cauldron -- but stole side glances from her periodically. Glances at her feet were also often as he tried to keep his pace to somewhere where he wasn't forcing himself, but she also didn't have to run to catch up with him and his 6'2" long legs. Surprisingly, she managed to hold her own rather well. As they were walking, she reinitiated the conversation.

"So, before the ministry... what'd you do? I mean, since you just started there, and all."

"Family business, actually. Although, it's gone, now, so I had to kind of... start anew." He was really starting to hate that question. Normally he managed to keep his home life seperate. But, this was the first time he'd had a job outside of the 'family business'. Made sense that people asked those kinds of questions.

"You could say that."

She sighed softly, her eyes lowering to the ground at his response. She really wasn't the best at this talking thing, and it all seemed to catch up with her within moments of the date. She sighed quietly, inwardly feeling as if she were quickly failing everything about this. Maybe she should've asked one of the others about what you were supposed to do. Nervously, she continued to fidget after her question.

"Family business, actually. Although, it's gone, now, so I had to kind of... start anew."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I guess my career hasn't set me up with the best questions to ask when it comes to casual settings." She folded her hands behind her back casually, not sure just what to do with them. She started to ask another question but decided, since she'd so far not done the best, that she should just keep quiet- not wanting to offend him once again.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I guess my career hasn't set me up with the best questions to ask when it comes to casual settings."

"Nah, you're fine. It's a normal question. I'm just... oddly one of those people whose life was, for the most part, absorbed in a family business that I didn't really share. It's been a soft spot my entire life -- now, simply more so. Not something you could help." Made him sound like an antisocial type. Which, he supposed, in a way, he was. Amongst most of normal society, that was. Although he seemed to have a way of finding pretty girls... "But, what's your favourite kind of ice cream?" he asked, curious. They were approaching the Leaky Cauldron now. "Especially with Fortescue's capable of rivaling Bertie Bott's for eccentric flavours." He smirked. They even had an anchovy flavour, curiously. It was a real hit with cats, apparently.

"But, what's your favourite kind of ice cream? Especially with Fortescue's capable of rivaling Bertie Bott's for eccentric flavours."

"I heard there's even a popcorn flavor" she laughed half heartedly before shifting thoughtfully, her gaze falling over the leaky cauldron briefly. Oh, right. later "I don't know, really... what the flavors are. There's so many but I've always been simple. French Vanilla... How about you? What sort do you like?" her eyes shifted happily towards him, friendly still despite overwhelming nervousness.

Artemius grinned. "It kind of depends on my mood. If I'm feeling quirky, as I commonly do, it's mint chocolate chip. Otherwise, vanilla." He frowned. "Although I once had a friend of mine prank me and trade the mint for pistachio." He chuckled. "She definitely had me very surprised."