After a good morning of sleep, Artemius was up and ready to go once again -- the fact that his "morning routine" took place at 11 definitely helped lessen the line to the loo. He was freshly showered and shaved and dressed in a comfy grey tee, on top of which was a warm, dark red flannel shirt that Aronel used to joke was "very Garth". But, hey. He liked Garth. And Dana Carvey in general. It was hardly an insult. His usual blue jeans and black boots, and he tossed on his wool coat. Wasn't dressy, but then, it wasn't a dinner date. It was him and Arista going out for lunch at Fortescue's. It was definitely a more casual event, yeah? And odds were she would wear something equally casual for work, right? Maybe something cute, though. He hoped.

As he made his way to the Ministry -- he'd timed the walk to be about 25 minutes at his own casual pace -- considering he had rather long legs -- and with his antsyness to get there, he figured he would get there even earlier than the fifteen minutes he'd given himself as a cushion. Should, you know, there be a crazy trolley accident in his way or something, and he had to find a detour. As he passed the tacky tea shoppe -- halfway there, he noted -- he stopped for a moment to check the clock on the wall. He was doing good on time, as expected. He looked about inside and it looked like an eccentric little place -- the tacky tea cup seemed to be only a precursor of the oddities inside. There was an espresso bar and countless small tables scattered about and even booths along the walls. As it was, Artemius ducked out -- he had no intention to go in at the moment. Tempting though an earl grey latte sounded... But then, he'd never turn one down.

When he finally showed up at the Ministry he grinned at the faux entrance. "Good afternoon, ladies," he greeted the mannequins -- there was a guard behind them, he knew, from orientation. He grinned -- they knew he knew, too. He wondered who he'd actually said hello to as he made his way to the side alley and into the Visitor's Entrance. Personally, he hated flooing, and Apparition was something he'd never grown used to doing, having lived on a property that had Apparition wards that went such a way, that it was still quite a walk. He knew the train station at Tywyn remarkably well, on that note.

Now that he was in the Atrium, he stopped by the Daily Prophet stand -- their aforemade meeting point. He said hello to the salesman and bought a copy. The fellows weren't out this morning, so this was his chance to catch up on the daily news while he waited for Arista -- wherever it was she wandering about at today. Tempted as he was to play hide and seek, they had previously made plans.

Arista yawned, looking at her watch. There was honestly too much time before lunch and most everything she was suppose to do for the morning had already been done. Merlin she hated being in limbo. It meant that she was given less to do which meant the inevitable boredom. And of course, when she was going on a date later (or in this case lunchtime) she generally rushed through her work because she thought she might be late.

And Artemius was never late so she didn’t want to be late – thinking it would make a bad impression. And they were doing so well. Their first date had been good despite the fact Arista was a little uneasy about if that was considered a date. Of course, there were bigger fish to fry, or so to speak, so she didn’t feel too worried about it.

One hand tapped on the desk unnecessarily as she attempted a Daily Prophet crossword. Generally they required intense concentration and today she was unable to give that concentration. Eventually she managed to calm down. It was just ice cream! He wasn’t going to break up after ice cream. Although, Arista knew part of her nervousness came with the idea she only ate ice cream after she had been dumped or she broke up with someone. And here she was, going out to ice cream with a guy she really, really liked. It went against almost everything she believed in on the matter of ice cream.

Finally, the time came when she could excuse herself for a lunch break. She looked down at her feet which were in heels and sighed. She couldn’t go walking around London in them because of the slush that was building up on the roads and Artemius still was bad at Apparation. Although she really didn’t mind because that’s how they had met.

So she changed into a pair of purple sneakers she had gotten on sale. They matched the tank top she had put on underneath a white floaty sweater that was too low cut for work. The sneakers somewhat clashed with her black dress pants but comfort had always come before fashion in Arista’s world – however, she did try to achieve both.

She walked down the long Ministry Support Staff hallway to the main Atrium. She caught him hiding behind a newspaper, apparently reading. She was behind him so she had the element of surprise, which normally would annoy her, but today it didn’t.

She sneaked up behind him and kissed his cheek. “How’s your day been?” She asked, taking his hand extremely ready for the break from work for ice cream and whatever fun conversation they would have.

Artemius was reading Apollo's Fashion Article -- insanely amusing. He really had to meet the fellow -- when he was surprised by a kiss on the cheek. He turned to see Arista and grinned in delight.

"'Ello, beautiful," he greeted. He folded up his paper. "Had a good morning?"

She was wearing a white floaty sweater that was probably too low cut for just work -- unless she wanted to sleep with her boss, that was, but then, he supposed that was for him. He smiled, flattered. A purple tank top to keep herself decent -- purple. What an eccentric color. He loved it. -- black slacks, and purple trainers. Ah, trainers. That expects why he didn't hear her coming in. He'd been expecting a click clack click clack to come his way. "Ah, that explains why I didn't hear you. Trainers, eh? Sneakin' up on me." He gave her a lightly, playfully accusing eye. "I do have me mischeif-makin' supplies on me, love. Don't make me use 'em." Say, on that note, a visit to Weasleys' might not be out of place. He smirked. Maybe make that a surprise.

She beamed at him, and took his hand. “How’s your day been?”

"Uneventfull," he replied, wrapping his hand around hers comfortably. It was so small and soft -- a lady's hand. "Spent most of it sleeping. The night of work, the same." He laughed. "Nah, I'm joking. I don't sleep on the job -- don't get worried about that. I, ah, memorised floor..." He squinted. "Five? I think? Ah, who cares? It was a brick hallway, nothing to see." He shook his head in disappointment. "Waste of my life, really, but I get paid well."

He smiled at her. "Well? Shall we be off, then? Do you want to walk, floo, Apparate...?" Personally, he liked walking, but that's because he'd never gotten used to Apparation, but he could deal with some floo if it saved them time. "Your pick, love."

"'Ello, beautiful," he greeted. He folded up his paper. "Had a good morning?"

"Dreadfully boring actually but it's okay now." She smiled, meaning exactly what she said. "I might want to start looking for a new job since I'm not doing what I was hired for." She hated looking for this job and so the idea of leaving the Minister's support staff slightly bothered her. "Hopefully there's a job here so I don't have to leave you."

"Ah, that explains why I didn't hear you. Trainers, eh? Sneakin' up on me." He gave her a lightly, playfully accusing eye. "I do have me mischeif-makin' supplies on me, love. Don't make me use 'em."

"Heels aren't very practical for walking. I'll change back when we get back." She caught his mischievous glance and she grinned. "Who me? I would never make you use your supplies." Their conversation was playful sparkled with hints of sarcasm. It was purely Artie and Ari's way of conversing.

"Uneventfull," he replied, wrapping his hand around hers comfortably. It was so small and soft -- a lady's hand. "Spent most of it sleeping. The night of work, the same." He laughed. "Nah, I'm joking. I don't sleep on the job -- don't get worried about that. I, ah, memorised floor..." He squinted. "Five? I think? Ah, who cares? It was a brick hallway, nothing to see." He shook his head in disappointment. "Waste of my life, really, but I get paid well."

"You memorized floor five? I could find much more useful applications of your time. We still have to have a tea party by the way." She thought as they stood there for a moment. "Your work schedule is crazy. When do you return to a normal schedule?"

"Well? Shall we be off, then? Do you want to walk, floo, Apparate...?" "Your pick, love."

"Walk - I didn't wear my trainers for nothing. So... I believe it's your choice for conversation topics."

"Dreadfully boring actually but it's okay now." She smiled at him, and Artemius echoed it. "I might want to start looking for a new job since I'm not doing what I was hired for. Hopefully there's a job here so I don't have to leave you."

"Aw!" Artemius laughed. "You're a sweetheart." He gave her a hug. "I'm sure you'll find something." Mind, the 'always hiring' jobs he knew of were nothing he'd much like his dearest lady doing -- like waitressing, or even security. He didn't much like doing security, either. The poor dear would die of boredom -- he was well on his way to doing the same.

She gave a mischeivous grin. "Who, me? I would never make you use your supplies." Coy little minx. Artemius' lips curled with delight.

"You memorized floor five? I could find much more useful applications of your time."

Artemius grinned. "Oh really?"

"We still have to have a tea party by the way," she reminded him.

"Yes, but that requires me getting my mother involved," he whined jestfully, leaning away in distaste to the idea. "And you don't know my mother..." He grinned and came back. "I'm just joking. We can arrange something, I'm sure."

"Your work schedule is crazy. When do you return to a normal schedule?"

Artemius chuckled. "That entirely depends. Define 'normal'." He grinned cheekily.

"Walk - I didn't wear my trainers for nothing." Ah, she learns. Bless her... "So... I believe it's your choice for conversation topics."

"Oh goody..." he replied with a smirk. "What ever shall I talk with you about?" he asked, swinging their hands lightly. "Hmm... What is your favourite flavour of ice cream, since we're on our way to Fortescue's?"

"Aw!" Artemius laughed. "You're a sweetheart." He gave her a hug. "I'm sure you'll find something."

“Are you sure there isn’t something in the Ministry? I hate looking for jobs. But maybe I could get a night job and then we could have our days together.” She suggested though the idea slightly irked her. What job could she get that worked nights other than being a stripper or working in security. And just hearing about Artie’s nights were enough to make her want to sleep for the next twenty years.

Artemius grinned. "Oh really?"

“Well, it would be narcissist of me to say spend it all with me. But you could be reading Jane Austen which I am going to get you through the entirety of Sense and Sensibility I decided today. Or you could be drinking coffee. Or you could be researching something important like… oh I don’t know… the crumpled horn whatever.”

"Yes, but that requires me getting my mother involved," he whined jestfully, leaning away in distaste to the idea. "And you don't know my mother..." He grinned and came back. "I'm just joking. We can arrange something, I'm sure."

“Good. I’m ready to meet her. She sounds absolutely amazing. And she brings out baby pictures I promise I will find a family member for you to meet to embarrass me. Promise.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “See, I kissed on it. Now it’s a deal.”

Artemius chuckled. "That entirely depends. Define 'normal'." He grinned cheekily.

“When we can have a normal date without you having to jet off back to work.”

"Oh goody..." he replied with a smirk. "What ever shall I talk with you about?" he asked, swinging their hands lightly. "Hmm... What is your favourite flavour of ice cream, since we're on our way to Fortescue's?"

“Well, when I was in Scotland I had this gourmet ice cream and that’s my favorite: sweet corn and black raspberry and a second scoop of honey vanilla. But for normal flavors – chocolate chip cookie dough. You know I’m feeling a little weird doing this because I’m afraid you’re going to break up with me now.”

“Are you sure there isn’t something in the Ministry? I hate looking for jobs. But maybe I could get a night job and then we could have our days together.”

Artemius grinned. "Nah, working nights is something that takes a lot of adjustment. Mind, if you'll recall I was raised by wolves -- I'm used to it. I wouldn't wish the oddities of a noctural lifestyle to anyone unless it was necessary."

“Well, it would be narcissist of me to say spend it all with me. But you could be reading Jane Austen -- which I am going to get you through the entirety of Sense and Sensibility I decided today. Or you could be drinking coffee. Or you could be researching something important like… oh I don’t know… the crumpled horn whatever.”

Artemius laughed out loud. "Austen, you'll have to cram down my throat. No offense, but what I've seen tells me that she's a cruel puppeteer who just likes making her characters' lives miserable -- I see enough of that in real life, really. Although I wouldn't be adverse to the coffee." He grinned. Not that he didn't already have hobbies, but he wasn't one to boast about that. It led to trouble.

“Good. I’m ready to meet her. She sounds absolutely amazing. And if she brings out baby pictures, I promise I will find a family member for you to meet to embarrass me. Promise.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “See, I kissed on it. Now it’s a deal.”

Artemius laughed. "Ah, it's a deal, is it? Well. Then I suppose I'll have to take your word for it." He smiled. "As it is, she is a pretty cool person. If you like, maybe we can go see her at St. Mungo's -- she practically lives there, really."

“When we can have a normal date without you having to jet off back to work.”

"Aha... You mean one where I don't have to play Cinderella?" He chuckled. "In all honesty, I can work whenever, but I sign up for graveyard because it's quiet, pays a little better, and there's always an opening for it. You get a bonus for working those crazy hours, you know," he told her. And he was saving up for something. Not to mention it meant he could spoil her a little bit better, too.

“Well, when I was in Scotland I had this gourmet ice cream and that’s my favorite: sweet corn and black raspberry and a second scoop of honey vanilla. But for normal flavors – chocolate chip cookie dough. You know I’m feeling a little weird doing this because I’m afraid you’re going to break up with me now.”

Artemius laughed. "Nah, not yet. I'm going to wait until Christmas or Valentines, actually." He gave her a mischeivous grin.

"Nah, working nights is something that takes a lot of adjustment. Mind, if you'll recall I was raised by wolves -- I'm used to it. I wouldn't wish the oddities of a noctural lifestyle to anyone unless it was necessary."

"Did you always help your mum or did you sometimes sleep? I seem to remember you were always up in the common room later than anyone else. Oh crazy girl - she would make me check sometimes to see if you were still awake. I thought you were insane trying to survive on so little sleep but I guess it's normal for you isn't it?" So many things about him now made sense now that she knew him. Of course, it also made her wonder if they could have made it as a Hogwarts couple but that wasn't something to think about at the moment. It was time to think about ice cream.

Austen, you'll have to cram down my throat. No offense, but what I've seen tells me that she's a cruel puppeteer who just likes making her characters' lives miserable -- I see enough of that in real life, really. Although I wouldn't be adverse to the coffee."

"Jane Austen is not a cruel puppeteer!" Arista said indignantly. "Don't you understand how the romance of Colonel Brandon and Marianne is the one of fairy tales but it's more realistic. Or Elizabeth and Darcy. Ahh... Darcy. He and Colonel Brandon have gotten me through some tough breakups. Well, so has the ice cream. Stupid guys that can't be like the books in fiction." She said, smiling. "But I suppose you have things that fill your time so you don't need to fill it with romance anyway right?"

"Ah, it's a deal, is it? Well. Then I suppose I'll have to take your word for it." He smiled. "As it is, she is a pretty cool person. If you like, maybe we can go see her at St. Mungo's -- she practically lives there, really."

"Sounds great. See... it isn't that bad. And my mum has to be more embarrassing than your's. But it might just be a 'each mum is embarrassing when it's your own' thing."

"Aha... You mean one where I don't have to play Cinderella?" He chuckled. "In all honesty, I can work whenever, but I sign up for graveyard because it's quiet, pays a little better, and there's always an opening for it. You get a bonus for working those crazy hours, you know,"

"Yeah, I know you get paid more for doing the graveyard shift but while you make a great Cinderella, I would prefer you to be a normal human being who has been raised by wolves." Arista said, chuckling.

"Nah, not yet. I'm going to wait until Christmas or Valentines, actually."

Arista knew he was joking but she still felt the need to lightly slap his arm. "You wouldn't dare! I would find something... well I don't know..." She was flustered which of course made her mind go into bits which never helped anything. "Anyway, Christmas is my favorite holiday, well, after Halloween."

"Did you always help your mum or did you sometimes sleep?"

"Since I was old enough to do so, I worked. Always helps to have another set of hands -- even little ones." He grinned. Amusing the younger ones before their change took place, for example, versus having them be scared of the bigger lycans around them.

"I seem to remember you were always up in the common room later than anyone else. Oh, crazy girl -- she would make me check sometimes to see if you were still awake. I thought you were insane trying to survive on so little sleep but I guess it's normal for you isn't it?"

Artemius laughed. "Yeah, I guess I was a bit of a night owl, wasn't I?" He hadn't ever really thought about it. "Ah, yes, your friend. Who was obsessed with me." That still amused him. "Do you think she'll be jealous when she finds out that you stole me away before she got the chance?"

"Jane Austen is not a cruel puppeteer!" Arista said indignantly. Artemius couldn't help laughing out loud. "Don't you understand how the romance of Colonel Brandon and Marianne is the one of fairy tales but it's more realistic. Or Elizabeth and Darcy. Ahh... Darcy. He and Colonel Brandon have gotten me through some tough breakups. Well, so has the ice cream. Stupid guys that can't be like the books in fiction." She said, smiling. "But I suppose you have things that fill your time so you don't need to fill it with romance anyway right?"

"Heeheeheehee!" Artemius laughed. "Ah, you are something else, sweetheart. And in all honesty, I don't read as much as I used to, unfortunately... but I do prefer a bit of Terry Pratchett or Dean Koontz or something. Not a big fan of the horror genre, but I do love a good satire or thriller."

"Sounds great. See... it isn't that bad. And my mum has to be more embarrassing than your's. But it might just be a 'each mum is embarrassing when it's your own' thing."

Artemius chuckled. "Green grass and all," he nodded.

"Yeah, I know you get paid more for doing the graveyard shift but while you make a great Cinderella, I would prefer you to be a normal human being who has been raised by wolves." Arista said, chuckling.

Artemius smirked. "But where's the fun in that? Dating normal people. How absolutely terribly boring." Here he put on a face. " 'My dear, darling girl. When are you going to learn that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage?' From another witch, I'll add," he explained. "Practical Magic. A favourite movie of mine... though I haven't got my hands on the book yet. Kind of don't want to," he admitted. "It might ruin it for me." He grinned.

Artemius beamed and made a noise as she beat him. Not that he didn't deserve it, but he hadn't expected physical abuse.

"You wouldn't dare! I would find something... well I don't know..." She was flustered which of course made her mind go into bits which never helped anything. "Anyway, Christmas is my favorite holiday. Well, after Halloween."

Artemius grinned. "Hey, me too. Love the holidays. A good excuse to make casserole. Mm... casserole. I've had an entire plate of green bean casserole, once. I'm crazy for the stuff. Very easy to please, me." He chuckled.

"Do you think she'll be jealous when she finds out that you stole me away before she got the chance?"

Arista laughed, her hazel eyes twinkling. "Actually, she married the first man to look her way after she was out of Hogwarts. She has four kids now. So I'm pretty sure she won't be jealous but we could always visit her and then proceed to snog in front of her and see how she reacts," Arista teased.

"But where's the fun in that? Dating normal people. How absolutely terribly boring." Here he put on a face. " 'My dear, darling girl. When are you going to learn that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage?' From another witch, I'll add," he explained. "Practical Magic. A favourite movie of mine... though I haven't got my hands on the book yet. Kind of don't want to," he admitted. "It might ruin it for me."

"The book is normally better than the movie - although I like Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility better than the book - but that's because I love Alan Rickman." Arista blushed, admitting one of her own celebrity crushes. "And you - what is that one actress you'll watch just to see her? I have to know my competition after all."

"Hey, me too. Love the holidays. A good excuse to make casserole. Mm... casserole. I've had an entire plate of green bean casserole, once. I'm crazy for the stuff. Very easy to please, me."

"Blech, I hate green been casserole. Although I do make a mean orzo dish."

Arista laughed, her hazel eyes twinkling. "Actually, she married the first man to look her way after she was out of Hogwarts. She has four kids now. So I'm pretty sure she won't be jealous, but we could always visit her and then proceed to snog in front of her and see how she reacts," Arista teased.

Artemius laughed. "God, you're evil. Remind me not to upset you, love."

"The book is normally better than the movie - although I like Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility better than the book - but that's because I love Alan Rickman." Arista blushed, admitting one of her own celebrity crushes.

"Ohoho... So, the truth comes out," he noted, nodding.

"And you - what is that one actress you'll watch just to see her? I have to know my competition after all."

"Ah, yes. The List." He shook his head. "None of the girls I know of that are famous enough to get on that list are by definition too high maintenance for me. Totally not worth it." He smirked, hoping she wouldn't be offended.

"Blech, I hate green been casserole. Although I do make a mean orzo dish."

Artemius smiled. "More for me, than. But orzo sounds good."

"God, you're evil. Remind me not to upset you, love."

"Oh, you upset me majorily like breaking up with me and you are going to have worse than snogging in front of you. Trust me. It's a promise." She said, still smiling but giving her most serious tone. People didn't play with her heart - it was hers alone to play with.

"Ah, yes. The List." He shook his head. "None of the girls I know of that are famous enough to get on that list are by definition too high maintenance for me. Totally not worth it."

"I still want to know. So if something happens and I have to dress up like a celebrity I know who to dress up as." She winked at him as they entered the ice cream shop.

"More for me, than. But orzo sounds good."

"You just like all foods don't you?" Arista asked, chuckling. "So is it my turn to buy or is it yours?"

"Oh, you upset me majorily like breaking up with me and you are going to have worse than snogging in front of you. Trust me. It's a promise."

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied. Not that he had any intention of doing that at any point in the future.

"I still want to know. So if something happens and I have to dress up like a celebrity I know who to dress up as." She winked at him as she entered the ice cream shop.

Artemius beamed. "Is Princess Leia allowed on this list? or Jessica Rabbit?" he asked as he too stepped in. There wasn't much of a difference between inside the shop and outside, but he supposed it was ice cream in January, after all. "Because if so, I can conjure up a list if you like." Mind, it'd be a very run of the mill, fictional love bomb kind of list, but it would make for some very fetching costumes.

"You just like all foods don't you?" Arista asked, chuckling.

"I had a very diverse growing up. I learned that, if the new guy wants to thank us by making us dinner, we should eat it. Even if it was disgusting. Fortunately, it very rarely ever was, so I grew to have a very extensive palate. I'll eat -- or at least try -- pretty much anything that doesn't say 'poison' on it."

"So is it my turn to buy or is it yours?"

"Mine?" he offered. He was given a choice. Well, that was new. "Mind, it's usually not best to eat nothing but ice cream for lunch, so we might want to get some real food first, y'know? Then get something for dessert. Their chili dogs are really good, by the way. They use beanless chili; it's pretty spicy, but I like it." He checked his pockets to locate his bag of coinage as they joined the queue, and patted it when he found it. He was pondering on whether he planned on buying anything at Wheezes later... He decided to mention it over lunch. Or dessert, which ever.

"Is Princess Leia allowed on this list? or Jessica Rabbit?" "Because if so, I can conjure up a list if you like."

"I will do anything but a Legally Blonde bunny rabbit outfit - that is where I draw the line. But sure, Princess Leia is allowed. I've always wanted to do the crazy lip thing anyway."

"I had a very diverse growing up. I learned that, if the new guy wants to thank us by making us dinner, we should eat it. Even if it was disgusting. Fortunately, it very rarely ever was, so I grew to have a very extensive palate. I'll eat -- or at least try -- pretty much anything that doesn't say 'poison' on it."

"Very good to know so that I don't try to cook you up any poison - or silver-lined cupcakes, not that I'm good with metals anyway. I will take a bite of almost anything but that doesn't mean I can stand it." Haggis for one - she tried it and absolutely well, didn't hate it but it did make her throw up so there was a memory not to repeat.

"Mine?" he offered. He was given a choice. Well, that was new. "Mind, it's usually not best to eat nothing but ice cream for lunch, so we might want to get some real food first, y'know? Then get something for dessert. Their chili dogs are really good, by the way. They use beanless chili; it's pretty spicy, but I like it."

Arista nodded and scanned the menu. "Ooh, I might want a polish sausage. I haven't had one in forever but I'll go with the chili dog actually - be adventurous you know." She smiled and looked around Fortescue's. It was pretty empty - a few workers here and there eating something or sipping some hot cocoa before, Arista assumed, going back to work. The place reminded Arista of Pepto Bismal with the bubble gum pink all over the place. It was cheerful but almost too much so for Arista's liking.

The chili dog was huge and it looked messy with chili spilling all over the bread and the actual hot dog. It came with a fork and a spoon so Arista didn't have much problem figuring out how she was going to eat it. "You know, I kind of just want to get my fingers all filthy and just pick it up and eat it. Do you suggest it?"

"I will do anything but a Legally Blonde bunny rabbit outfit - that is where I draw the line." Artemius laughed heartily. "But sure, Princess Leia is allowed. I've always wanted to do the crazy lip thing anyway."

"It's official!" he said raising his hands in victory. "I have the greatest girlfriend ever! Not only did she know who Leia was, she said yes!" he explained with a grin.

"Very good to know so that I don't try to cook you up any poison - or silver-lined cupcakes, not that I'm good with metals anyway. I will take a bite of almost anything but that doesn't mean I can stand it."

"Understandable."

"Ooh, I might want a polish sausage. I haven't had one in forever... but I'll go with the chili dog actually -- be adventurous, you know."

"Adventure is always good. As it is, we have had a bet on for years at home about whatever it is they put in them to make them so good. No one can come up with a good enough answer. We're down to it having garlic and onion in it, but there's a lot more to it than that..." It was finally their turn. "Yes, two chili dogs, please?" They got their drinks and food and found a little table for two by the window. Chili dog and chips. Excellent meal, excellent! He'd just sat down while Arista was looking over the thing with concern.

You know, I kind of just want to get my fingers all filthy and just pick it up and eat it. Do you suggest it?"

Artemius had been rearranging his wrappings to do that exact thing. He grinned. "Entirely up to you, love. I promise you, I won't think anything less of you if you end up with chili all over your hands." In fact, he pondered, I might actually like to see that. And see you lick them clean... He gathered his own in his fingers and tried his best to keep as much of it contained and at the top as possible. Still, not the type of thing to say out loud. At least, not in public, anyway...

Arista laughed as Artemius raised his hands in victory saying something about having the best girlfriend in the world. "Well I do try," Arista said smiling. She squeezed his hand and thought she was pretty lucky herself having Artemius as her boyfriend. She was happier and people had started to notice at her job. She had always been a smiling person but this was a different type of smiling. She was always somewhere at lunch instead of eating at her desk. Even though she and Artemius had only been on a few official dates they saw each other nearly every day if nothing more than a hello and a kiss.

Arista picked up her chili dog and attempted to keep everything on the actual hot dog. She managed to take a bite before setting it down. "Cumin and cayenne pepper- that's what's in the sauce, maybe some Tabasco. And you know I'm wearing a white shirt so I really hope I don't get any on me. But I'm still going to try."

Arista picked it up and took a few more bites. "This is delicious," she said looking at her hands now covered in chili. She continued to eat it, ignoring the mess on her hands, figuring she could clean them off later.

In the end she licked her fingers unaware of what Artemius might be thinking as each finger was licked clean. "That was really good but you're right that it was spicy and I am very ready for my ice cream. I think I want you to surprise me with the flavor."

Arista smiled at him. "So any exciting plans for this weekend?"

"Cumin and cayenne pepper- that's what's in the sauce, maybe some Tabasco. And you know I'm wearing a white shirt so I really hope I don't get any on me. But I'm still going to try."

Artemius snapped. "Tabasco! You know, I think Remus Lupin suggested that once." He shook his head. "Man, I'd forgotten about that. That'll do it, though." He grinned. "That was pretty good. You know your spices, then, love?"

"This is delicious," she said, taking in her chili-covered hands. She even licked her fingers clean... Artemius had a bit of trouble keeping his eyes on his own food at that point, but tried not to make it too obvious that he was watching her with anything more than amusement... and tried to eat his lunch.

"That was really good, but you're right that it was spicy."

Artemius grinned. "Warms you right up, though. Which helps with this place," he added. Being an ice cream place, it was rather chilly. Heheh. Chilly--chili. He made a note of it for a later pun. He sucked his own fingers clean, savouring the flavour for a minute more and dipping his last couple chips in the last remaining dollops of chili that had fallen from his dog and scooping it up. ScooOOP!!! He grinned at the thought and munched on the chip. Before smiling.

"So... ice cream?"

"Yes," she answered. "I am very ready for my ice cream. I think I want you to surprise me with the flavor."

"Alrighty," he said as he stood to gather their trash and dispose of it on his way to the queue. She'd said chocolate chip cookie dough... but that was definitely a comfort food, wasn't it? She needed something more... festive. But, following the chocolate vein, he ordered two chocolate covered strawberry sundaes -- sundaes topped with strawberries and strawberry syrup, and then dark chocolate shell on top of that, and whipped cream and cherries. Very pleased with the choice, he ordered the two ice creams and brought them back to his lady love.

Arista smiled at him. "So any exciting plans for this weekend?"

"Erm... None that I know of, as of yet. Yourself?" He tapped at the shell, and it gave way, so he took a spoonful and tasted it -- glorious as usual.

"Tabasco! You know, I think Remus Lupin suggested that once." He shook his head. "Man, I'd forgotten about that. That'll do it, though." He grinned. "That was pretty good. You know your spices, then, love?"

"Not so much my spicy spices, but I can do a bit with them. I love to cook. It comes from my family but I also think it's relaxing. I mean, seriously, what is more relaxing than throwing some stuff into a pot and then waiting to see what comes out?" she teased, smiling. "But it is therapuetic."

Warms you right up, though. Which helps with this place,"

"Yeah, I don't understand that." Arista said, rubbing an arm. "How come a lot of ice cream places are absolutely freezing? I mean, they would attract more people if they were lukewarm."

Arista looked at the mountain of ice cream, strawberries, chocolate, whipped cream (her favorite) and a cherry and sat there, unsure for a minute. "I feel like you're about to break up with me. Ice cream is only a breakup food in my world. I'm afraid to eat it." She admitted, picking off the cherry and handing it to Artemius. "I don't like cherries." And then Arista just decided to go for it. If he decided to break up with her and be ridiculously cruel she would be in the right spot to mourn. She took a bite and closed her eyes. "I haven't... oh wow. I haven't had ice cream in about a year and this taste so good." She swallowed and smiled. Leaning across the table she kissed him. "Okay, now any final words? Because my psyche is going insane."


"Erm... None that I know of, as of yet. Yourself?"

"Nothing - I was thinking of cleaning my flat and going to the library, maybe do some clothes shopping. I would invite you but you would probably find it ridiculously boring. There's rumors of a carnival but I probably won't go."

"Not so much my spicy spices, but I can do a bit with them. I love to cook. It comes from my family but I also think it's relaxing. I mean, seriously, what is more relaxing than throwing some stuff into a pot and then waiting to see what comes out?" she teased, smiling. "But it is therapuetic."

Artemius smiled. "You'll love Molly," he said with a grin. "She loves to cook. What little I do know how to cook I learned from helping her. Mind, that's not too terribly much because she's spoiled us, but I can make a mean cup of coffee," he added with a nod.

"Yeah, I don't understand that." Arista said, rubbing an arm. "How come a lot of ice cream places are absolutely freezing? I mean, they would attract more people if they were lukewarm."

"Ehh... It keeps the ice cream cold. And if it's colder, they don't have to hide the ice cream in a freezer somewhere. The whole store is the freezer. That way they can put all the ice cream out so that 1) it's easier to get to, and 2) you can see what they have. Makes the business run smoother, and being able to visualise your ice cream and see the treats makes you more likely to buy something. Mind, the fact that it's an ice cream shop and that you're in here is probably enough, but, you know. Try to squeeze every last knut out of you as they can." He shrugged. "It's just good for business, really."

Arista gazed at her ice cream. For a moment, Artemius wasn't sure if he'd picked the wrong thing... but he didn't want to get her the cookie dough. That was definite comfort food, and with its long tradition, he didn't want to invade on that. Ice cream in general, yes. But that particular flavour he would leave for her, just in case. Still, he worried.

"What is it?"

"It's just... I feel like you're about to break up with me. Ice cream is only a breakup food in my world. I'm afraid to eat it."

Artemius grinned. "Well, keep it to cookie dough, then. Not all ice cream should suffer that way. It's a fair treat; it should have its just chance, you know." He was defending ice cream's right to be devoured. How strange was that? Still, ice cream was wonderful. This would open her up to the options, he was certain. But, at least he could try.

She picked off the cherry and handing it to Artemius. "I don't like cherries."

Artemius gaped. "Really?" Well, that was disappointing. Oh well. No watching her eat it, then. Just the rest of the sundae, you greedy, sensuous bastard. "Well, I'll remember that next time." He carefully took it from her fingers -- such a pretty, dainty hand -- and popped it in his own mouth, plucking the stem out and chewing on it pensively. A girl who didn't like cherries. Might be why she didn't eat ice cream with others. Shame, really. He smirked at the thought.

As it was, Arista had braved her fears and taken a bite. "I haven't... oh wow. I haven't had ice cream in about a year and this taste so good."

Artemius smiled. Mission accomplished.

She swallowed and smiled. Leaning across the table she kissed him. "Okay, now any final words? Because my psyche is going insane."

Artemius chuckled. "Well, I'm just glad I got the chocolate covered strawberries. I think you'd flip if I got the turtle." He caught himself. "Sorry. I keep forgetting -- wizards don't have turtle. They have cockroach clusters." He shook his head. "Shame, really. The pecans are great. Although, I do love the cockroach clusters. I usually have some of them on my person at any given time." Had he mentioned that already? He knew he'd mentioned the itching powder... But, never chocolate frogs. He would eat them for the chocolate, but only after "doctoring" them.

"Nothing - I was thinking of cleaning my flat and going to the library, maybe do some clothes shopping. I would invite you but you would probably find it ridiculously boring. There's rumors of a carnival but I probably won't go."

Artemius gaped. "The carnival's in town." He shook his head. "No way. I'll take you." He grinned. "Do you know which one it is, by chance?" If it was the one in Wales, he knew someone who still worked there. Yeah, it was January, wasn't it? He'd almost forgotten...

"Ehh... It keeps the ice cream cold. And if it's colder, they don't have to hide the ice cream in a freezer somewhere. The whole store is the freezer. That way they can put all the ice cream out so that 1) it's easier to get to, and 2) you can see what they have. Makes the business run smoother, and being able to visualise your ice cream and see the treats makes you more likely to buy something. Mind, the fact that it's an ice cream shop and that you're in here is probably enough, but, you know. Try to squeeze every last knut out of you as they can." He shrugged. "It's just good for business, really."

Arista listened as seriously as she could, nodding and keeping a straight face until he finished when she just dissolved into laughter. "You sound like a conspiracy nut. Now what? The Abney's are suppose to inherit the throne of England?" She teased him, the laughter still apparent in her voice.

Well, keep it to cookie dough, then. Not all ice cream should suffer that way. It's a fair treat; it should have its just chance, you know."

"Okay, I shall try. But I'm not guaranteeing anything. This tradition goes back to... what? Fifth year I think. The house elves couldn't get me enough cookie dough ice cream that year. Of course, when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you, you're going to believe them. And then they go and trample your heart and suddenly you're all alone. Ice cream solves that." She had never thought to explain this idea to anyone else before except Lena who she had told most everything to when they were younger, And while she thought explaining something that personal to her would require more effort, it was effortless. She felt like she was revealing something that yes, was personal, but wasn't so personal that she was giving away herself.

"Well, I'm just glad I got the chocolate covered strawberries. I think you'd flip if I got the turtle." He caught himself. "Sorry. I keep forgetting -- wizards don't have turtle. They have cockroach clusters." He shook his head. "Shame, really. The pecans are great. Although, I do love the cockroach clusters. I usually have some of them on my person at any given time."

"I know what turtles are. I'm not quite as Muggle-ick as I look. After all, I've never gotten used to robes and much prefer normal Muggle clothing. It's comfier and I feel more expressive in it. Plus, I have yet to find a figure flattering robe." She wasn't going to mention that jeans made her butt look nice but it did cross her mind.

Artemius gaped. "The carnival's in town." He shook his head. "No way. I'll take you." He grinned. "Do you know which one it is, by chance?"

"Well, then, now I have something to do this weekend. I think it's... well I think it's American and they're like an actual carnival branch of of Cirque de Soleil actually. Still want to go?"

"You sound like a conspiracy nut. Now what? The Abney's are suppose to inherit the throne of England?" She teased him, the laughter still apparent in her voice.

He grinned. "Hey, there are plenty of folks who are supposed to have inherited the throne. The Fawkes family, for instance." He winked. "But nah, it's just... we used to have a coffee shop that we ran from time to time. Just next door, actually -- not that this old geezer would ever know," he added, nodding toward the wizard behind the counter.

"Okay, I shall try. But I'm not guaranteeing anything. This tradition goes back to... what? Fifth year I think. The house elves couldn't get me enough cookie dough ice cream that year. Of course, when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you, you're going to believe them. And then they go and trample your heart and suddenly you're all alone. Ice cream solves that."

Artemius gave her a sad smile. "Yeah. Thank god for house elves, right?" He smirked, hoping to cheer her up.

"I know what turtles are. I'm not quite as Muggle-ick as I look. After all, I've never gotten used to robes and much prefer normal Muggle clothing. It's comfier and I feel more expressive in it. Plus, I have yet to find a figure flattering robe."

Artemius laughed. "Yeah, those things are meant for the less good-looking. Unless you get them personally tailored -- which defeats the purpose of them -- they're designed to make us all look alike. Horrible, I think. Mind, I don't know if the femalekind have an equivalent for Zimmerman's -- it's a suit shop in Northern England -- bit of a trip, but worth it -- that sells magicked Muggle fashions, professionally tailored at no extra charge. People would be amazed how little tailoring costs, and it can turn a 30 pound suit into something that looks like ten times as much."

"Well, then, now I have something to do this weekend. I think it's... well I think it's American and they're like an actual carnival branch of of Cirque de Soleil actually. Still want to go?"

Cirque de Soleil? "Sure. Mind, there's a travelling circus carnival that comes into Wales every winter that I must take you to. Fellow who taught me clowning still travels with them." He grinned. "Probably will until the day he dies." Which might not be too much longer, but still.

"Hey, there are plenty of folks who are supposed to have inherited the throne. The Fawkes family, for instance." He winked. "But nah, it's just... we used to have a coffee shop that we ran from time to time. Just next door, actually -- not that this old geezer would ever know," he added, nodding toward the wizard behind the counter.


Arista smiled. "Was the coffee shop a ruse for something to do with the cottage because if it isn't, how can you not love coffee?" She was amused at the comment about Fawkes prompting her to say something else. "Yes well, England is full ruling bastards."

"Yeah, those things are meant for the less good-looking. Unless you get them personally tailored -- which defeats the purpose of them -- they're designed to make us all look alike. Horrible, I think. Mind, I don't know if the femalekind have an equivalent for Zimmerman's -- it's a suit shop in Northern England -- bit of a trip, but worth it -- that sells magicked Muggle fashions, professionally tailored at no extra charge. People would be amazed how little tailoring costs, and it can turn a 30 pound suit into something that looks like ten times as much."

"Well then, now I know where to go if I need a pantsuit. I mean, Zimmerman probably could do something similar for a female suit although he might not sell the female equivalent." She shrugged. It sounded like a nice idea and she wished there was an equivalent for females. She had enough trouble with length of clothing anyway.

"Sure. Mind, there's a travelling circus carnival that comes into Wales every winter that I must take you to. Fellow who taught me clowning still travels with them." He grinned. "Probably will until the day he dies."

"Okay - just promise me you won't try to win me a bear or anything. I mean, it's a nice gesture but I don't need a huge carnival bear to be taking up space in my flat."

Arista smiled. "Was the coffee shop a ruse for something to do with the cottage because if it isn't, how can you not love coffee?" She was amused at the comment about Fawkes prompting her to say something else. "Yes well, England is full ruling bastards."

"It was a hideout for lycans, yeah. Frankly, we can't afford it anymore, so we closed it. I can still make a mean cappuccino, though." He smirked. "Not to brag."

"Well then, now I know where to go if I need a pantsuit. I mean, Zimmerman probably could do something similar for a female suit although he might not sell the female equivalent."

Artemius grinned. "Yeah. If he doesn't sell suits for ladies, he can at least tailor them for you, easy.

"Okay - just promise me you won't try to win me a bear or anything. I mean, it's a nice gesture but I don't need a huge carnival bear to be taking up space in my flat."

Artemius laughed. "I'll be sure to remember that..." he replied with a grin. "When exactly is this carnival that you've heard rumours of?" He wondered if, as Ministry workers, there might be some kind of special or something for them. That might make things a lot easier.

"It was a hideout for lycans, yeah. Frankly, we can't afford it anymore, so we closed it. I can still make a mean cappuccino, though." He smirked. "Not to brag."

"You'll have to show me these mean skills with coffee. I'm an addict to Greek espresso. I shoot it - but you already knew that. It's... well, when you grow up on the stuff you get immune to the caffeine and yet I still keep drinking it." She smiled and thought about actually talking about the coffee shop. It seemed almost rude not to, so she went to talk on it. "It's sad that you had to close it. It would have been nice to have an office in London that isn't Mungo's. I'm sure your mum's co-workers aren't quite as open-minded as we are."

Artemius grinned. "Yeah. If he doesn't sell suits for ladies, he can at least tailor them for you, easy.

"Good thing to remember. I'll try and place it in an already full brain." She teased, tapping her head as if to listen for the non-echo. "But it might be frozen solid in this room." Arista frowned as she rubbed her arms, trying to get warm. "And you can't just give me your shirt now - so I guess I'll just deal."

Artemius laughed. "I'll be sure to remember that..." he replied with a grin. "When exactly is this carnival that you've heard rumours of?"

"Um, I think it starts with a special opening at midnight on Friday and runs through Sunday. It's suppose to be in Hyde Park but it might move... who knows?"

"You'll have to show me these mean skills with coffee. I'm an addict to Greek espresso. I shoot it - but you already knew that. It's... well, when you grow up on the stuff you get immune to the caffeine and yet I still keep drinking it." She smiled and thought about actually talking about the coffee shop. It seemed almost rude not to, so she went to talk on it. "It's sad that you had to close it. It would have been nice to have an office in London that isn't Mungo's. I'm sure your mum's co-workers aren't quite as open-minded as we are."

"Well, yeah. Some of the juniour Healers get really squickish about working there and cause trouble for the patients, but she's kind of like a guardian angel to them, which is rather nice, I suppose. I mean, we were rather successful, considering the fact that we had such a limited clientelle, but then, folks would show up only because it was the only place they could go some days." Artemius picked another spoon of his ice cream. "It made life rather rewarding, really." He missed it quite a bit, actually.

"Good thing to remember. I'll try and place it in an already full brain." She teased, tapping her head as if to listen for the non-echo. "But it might be frozen solid in this room." Arista frowned as she rubbed her arms, trying to get warm. "And you can't just give me your shirt now - so I guess I'll just deal."

Artemius chuckled. "I could," he replied. "But I could also do this," he added, standing up, taking off his coat and stepping behind her to wrap it around her. Having such broad shoulders, it rather engulfed her, but he found that irresistably charming, and gave her a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug before returning to his seat. It would take a moment for his body to realise it'd lost a layer of clothing, and at least he had flannel on, which was always good.

"Um, I think it starts with a special opening at midnight on Friday and runs through Sunday. It's suppose to be in Hyde Park but it might move... who knows?"

"Oh dear..." Artemius grinned. "Will the Hendersons all be there?"

"Well, yeah. Some of the juniour Healers get really squickish about working there and cause trouble for the patients, but she's kind of like a guardian angel to them, which is rather nice, I suppose. I mean, we were rather successful, considering the fact that we had such a limited clientelle, but then, folks would show up only because it was the only place they could go some days." Artemius picked another spoon of his ice cream. "It made life rather rewarding, really." He missed it quite a bit, actually.

"I don't think squickish is a word. A guardian angel - hmm. I wish I could be that to someone. When I was a little girl I thought I would be that to Lena. But she's... she's so indepedent and she won't take a suggestion from anyone. I love her so much though so there were some painful experiences there. I wanted to be able to protect her from everything - I still do. It's an older sister complex honestly. She and ice cream were probably the only things that kept me from flying into a million pieces that fifth year. I don't know what I would do without her. And yet..." Arista said, taking a bite of ice cream to think about what else she would say. "I want to save her from herself sometimes but I think that she's trying to teach me something by not letting me be her guardian angel. Does that make any sense?"

He wrapped his coat around her and she sighed. "You are too much the gentleman. I keep thinking that one day you're not going to open doors from me or something stupid like that. It's nice. I mean, I'm all about feminism but this... it's nice." She shrugged her shoulders into the huge coat, turning her head to sniff it. "Merlin what do you wash your clothes with? You smell fantastic."

"Oh dear..." Artemius grinned. "Will the Hendersons all be there?"

"Um, I guess so?" Arista asked, confused, not knowing what he meant.

"I don't think squickish is a word. A guardian angel - hmm. I wish I could be that to someone. When I was a little girl I thought I would be that to Lena. But she's... she's so indepedent and she won't take a suggestion from anyone. I love her so much though, so there were some painful experiences there. I wanted to be able to protect her from everything - I still do. It's an older sister complex, honestly. She and ice cream were probably the only things that kept me from flying into a million pieces that fifth year." As Artemius ate, he listened carefully. Fifth year? And ice cream. So, a bad break up. He wondered who the unfortunate bastard was -- if he ever met him, Artemius would have to punish him, and the fellow might not survive. "I don't know what I would do without her. And yet..." Arista said, taking a bite of ice cream to think about what else she would say. "I want to save her from herself sometimes, but I think that she's trying to teach me something by not letting me be her guardian angel. Does that make any sense?"

Artemius gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course. Some people just like learning the hard way, much as it kills those around them, right?"

He wrapped his coat around her and she sighed. "You are too much the gentleman. I keep thinking that one day you're not going to open doors from me or something stupid like that. It's nice. I mean, I'm all about feminism but this... it's nice." She shrugged her shoulders into the huge coat, turning her head to sniff it. "Merlin what do you wash your clothes with? You smell fantastic."

Artemius laughed. "Nothing, really..." He sat down. "I haven't washed that coat in a couple weeks -- haven't had the need. So... that's just me." He grinned. That was kind of funny. "Well, me and the occasional Old Spice." Although there were more than a couple of lycans who trusted cannibis as a viable medicine. He smirked. It'd be pretty funny if that was the trick.

"Um, I guess so?" Arista asked, confused, not knowing what he meant.

Artemius chuckled. "Beatles? 'The Benefit of Mr. Kite'?"

Artemius gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course. Some people just like learning the hard way, much as it kills those around them, right?"

Arista sighed, picking up more ice cream with her spoon. He understood. "Yep. You're lucky you don't have a sibling. It's a full-time responsibility, one I love but is still... hard." She continued to eat her ice cream, thinking of her sister.

Lena was taller than Arista was and she definitely looked more model-esque. Her hair was curlier than her's and she had, thankfully, inherited their mum's nose. But looks aside, she was the wild child, the one who couldn't be held back. And sometimes Arista just wished she had been a normal sister and not one who Arista always had to wonder what trouble she was going to get into next.

"Nothing, really..." He sat down. "I haven't washed that coat in a couple weeks -- haven't had the need. So... that's just me." He grinned. That was kind of funny. "Well, me and the occasional Old Spice."

Arista nodded, putting another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. "Well, it's still good. Although I would recommend washing your coat since it seems to have attracted quite a bit of..." Arista looked down at the coat, trying to determine what was on it, "fur I think."

"Beatles? 'The Benefit of Mr. Kite'?"

"Never heard that one - I've heard most of their popular ones and then a few others but not that one. What is it about?"

"Yep. You're lucky you don't have a sibling. It's a full-time responsibility, one I love but is still... hard."

"Yeah... When denizens act up like that, they lose their place in the Cottage, so... I suppose it's not quite the same. Although, if you want someone with sick family members, I got that one down pat."

Arista nodded, putting another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. "Well, it's still good. Although I would recommend washing your coat since it seems to have attracted quite a bit of..." Arista looked down at the coat, trying to determine what was on it, "fur I think."

Artemius laughed. "Perhaps a bit. There is a cat... in our place." Yes, she didn't know yet, did she? Probably better that way, seeing as he was going to be out of there as soon as possible...

"Never heard that one - I've heard most of their popular ones and then a few others but not that one. What is it about?"

Artemius gave a small smile. "Actually, 'the Benefit for Mr. Kite' is a carnival show of sorts; Mr. K is the fellow who runs the place. The Hendersons were one of the acts in the show -- it was on Sgt. Pepper's, originally, but it was also in Across the Universe -- with Eddie Izzard as Mr. K, actually. He ad-libbed the song while playing ringleader -- it was very amusing." He chuckled.

"Yeah... When denizens act up like that, they lose their place in the Cottage, so... I suppose it's not quite the same. Although, if you want someone with sick family members, I got that one down pat."

Arista shook her head. "Family... it's deeper than what you're making it out to be. Lena might do things I disapprove of but that doesn't make her not part of my life. You say the people are like family to you - but there is a huge difference between family and like family." She hid her displeasure with a soft smile and also by the continuing eating of her ice cream. Although that wouldn't last too, too long because she was almost done with the sundae. He had good taste in ice cream.

"Perhaps a bit. There is a cat... in our place."

"I've always been a dog person. But if you have a cat I suppose I could be nice and not step on it or something."

"Actually, 'the Benefit for Mr. Kite' is a carnival show of sorts; Mr. K is the fellow who runs the place. The Hendersons were one of the acts in the show -- it was on Sgt. Pepper's, originally, but it was also in Across the Universe -- with Eddie Izzard as Mr. K, actually. He ad-libbed the song while playing ringleader -- it was very amusing."

"Oh right!" Arista said, twirling her spoon. "I remember that vaguely. I actually fast forwarded through that part. I thought it was way too trippy."

Arista shook her head. "Family... it's deeper than what you're making it out to be. Lena might do things I disapprove of but that doesn't make her not part of my life. You say the people are like family to you - but there is a huge difference between family and like family." She hid her displeasure with a soft smile and also by the continuing eating of her ice cream. Although that wouldn't last too, too long because she was almost done with the sundae. He had good taste in ice cream.

Artemius decided not to answer. He couldn't really say if what he knew as "family" was the same thing as she might. The fact of the matter was, he was an only child. Who was he to define family for her? She was hardly in a place to define it for him, but it did take two to tango, and that was a messy tango he'd rather not get into.

"I've always been a dog person. But if you have a cat I suppose I could be nice and not step on it or something."

Artemius smirked. Kept on the cat. Lovely. "Personally, I have, too, but we've always seemed to have a cat around for some reason." Rufus came to mind.

"Oh right!" Arista said, twirling her spoon. "I remember that vaguely. I actually fast forwarded through that part. I thought it was way too trippy."

Artemius chuckled. "Yes, it was a bit. The Blue People and all."

((Is it just me, or do I sense a bit of animosity here? Is Arista perhaps not quite over Ernie? *is wondering if this is just me*))

"Personally, I have, too, but we've always seemed to have a cat around for some reason."

"Well, if I imagine the Cottage right, I would imagine you have a shed or a barn or something like that... and you would have mice which would require cats. So I suppose it all makes sense in the end." She smiled, thinking of cats. She had truly never particularly liked cats but if she had to put up with one, or two, or a million she supposed she could do it. But only if it was absolutely necessary.

"Yes, it was a bit. The Blue People and all."

"Merlin that reminds me of a song growing up - I can't even remember the name other than it was something about everything was blue. It wasn't that great of a song but everyone loved it. It was like 'Who Let the Dogs Out' only a little cookier."

By now Arista had warmed herself up and so she let the coat rest on the back of her chair. She had also finished her ice cream which was a good thing since her lunch break was ending shortly. "So, ready to go back to the Ministry or do you have some surprise for me that I'm totally unaware of?"

"Well, if I imagine the Cottage right, I would imagine you have a shed or a barn or something like that... and you would have mice which would require cats. So I suppose it all makes sense in the end."

Artemius grinned. "Fair enough." Mind, he was one of the few in the world that who'd actually had a cursed warlock for a pet, if you could call Rufus that.

"Merlin that reminds me of a song growing up - I can't even remember the name other than it was something about everything was blue. It wasn't that great of a song but everyone loved it. It was like 'Who Let the Dogs Out' only a little cookier."

Artemius grinned. "Ah... "I'm Blue"? Da ba dee da ba dai? By... Eiffel something, I think. "Story 'bout a guy who lives in a blue world'? That sound about right?" Golly, that was... a very old song.

"So, ready to go back to the Ministry or do you have some surprise for me that I'm totally unaware of?"

Artemius grinned. "Nah, just... avoiding brainfreezes, if possible." He stood and gathered their things, collecting it and excusing himself to dispose of their trash. He returned with a smile. "Shall we, then?"

Arista laughed as Artemius attempted to sing the silly song that had popped into her head. "That sounds just about right." And of course, now the song was running its course which made her pretty sure it was going to be there for awhile.

Arista nodded, "Lena would say nature abhors a vacuum although I wouldn't go as far as to call you a vacuum. You certaintly don't suck." She grinned at her own little joke as she stood up to throw away the plastic ice cream dish.

"So when are we going to meet again? Just this weekend or before that?"