Tuni was an intellect, that was for sure. So when he mentioned doing magic, she was quick to lean forward so she could watch. But then, whatever it was he was going to do, did not work. She started giggling. The giggles only increased at his words and the next thing Tuni knew she was on the ground in a fit of laughing hysterics and the box of cookies probably crushed in the process.

---

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Rufus had left earlier to run some errands. Diagon Alley really wasn't terribly far away and he'd found in the past few weeks that he'd forgotten to back several essential things before departing his apartment. Of course. But really it was nice to be out of their rooms. As close as Tommy and Rufus were it had been years since they'd spent nearly so much time together. Granted playing for the same team meant they were together often enough, but that didn't mean they lived together.

He had to admit that despite his worry over her, Tuni's presence in London was soothing. The more news that came out about Hogsmeade the more grateful he was that she was in London. That and it was extremely nice to have someone other than Tommy to spend his time with - not that he didn't love his best friend. But sometime's one wished for the accustomed solitude that came from one's own apartment.

Returning to their rooms rather later than he anticipated Rufus was greeted with laughing as soon as he hoped the door. It appeared to be coming from the bedroom. He recognized both laughs and his brow furrowed quizzically as he walked in taking in both Tommy and Tuni. "Am I interrupting?" He asked, clearing a double question for someone to explain just what was going on.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Hearing Rufus’s voice was most reassuring and, sitting on the bed with the look of a child whose icecream had just dropped to the floor, Thomas turned to Rufus, “Miss Landlord got my hand all sticky with her cookie.” He said, his words slurred and voice trembling.

His eyes were starting to well up and he didn’t know what to do with himself. He was hurt, upset, offended, upset, sad, and upset. He wanted to cry. He lost his cookie. He didn’t even like honey that much. He just wanted infinite cookies. Why was that so hard?

“Help.” He pleaded toward his friend, not really sure what Fortuna was up to at this point.

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Tuni was too far into her fit of giggles to even realize Rufus had come back. She was laughing so hard she could hardly breath and tears were streaming down her face. Nope. She would be of no help to anyone at that moment.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

That did literally nothing to explain the situation, Rufus glared at Tommy. He expected better from Tommy, he didn't know why he did at the moment, but he trusted Fortuna with Tommy and clearly he had mistaken in that thought. He wasn't sure why the two of them were in here, but a glance at the nearly finished bottle explained more than he would have liked. He glanced at Fortuna doubled over on the floor and then back at Tommy who looked like Sloane had when she was younger and one of the brother's had stolen her broom. "I can't help unless I know what happened." Rufus told his friend firmly meeting the pleading eyes of the other man.

Stepping forward he leaned down and looked at Fortuna, "Are you alright?" He asked with a hand on her shoulder waiting for her response before he looked back at Tommy.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

“I told you,” Thomas said as he held up his hand, “Miss Logbook got my hand sticky,” He waved it as a gloop of honey dripped onto the floor. Thomas’s gaze turned to watch it intently and he bought his mouth to his hand, licking it.
“Why does honey exist?” He then shook his hand, trying to get it off and causing the honey to splatter across the room.

“Anyway,” and as if by magic, Thomas was happy again, “I found your wife.” He said, gesturing over-dramatically toward Fortuna who had crumpled onto the floor.

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Tuni looked up quickly at the feel on her shoulder. Eyes widened when she saw who it was. "Oops," she said through her giggles but managed to give him a nod as she wiped her arm across her face to rid the wet tears from her cheeks. He didn't look happy.

"I.. umm," she looked down and lifted her skirts some to see the box of cookies smashed but they at least looked mostly in tact, "I came to see you. But he answered the door with no shirt on and said I had to have a drink to see if you were here." She apparently had no problems throwing Tommy under the bus as she pulled the box of cookies up. "I brought cookies," she said as she beamed up at him though it was beyond evident she was drunk.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Oops did not quell Rufus's anxiety about this situation. The obvious connection would be that something was up between the two of them, but he'd been on the receiving end of the obvious connection of the situation and would not do the same to the two of them.

At least Fortuna's explanation included why she was in his rooms. Not that he minded her being in his rooms, but he had rather expected to be here when she was. It also showed him that Tommy had not been the only one to finish off that firewhiskey. "Thank you." He told her gently, squeezing her shoulder before turning on Tommy.

How many times had he had to deal with drunk Tommy? Several more than he cared to admit. He didn't even bother to ask what Tommy was going on about with honey, instead he simply got his wand out and said a simple charm to clean up the mess. No need to have honey everywhere. "There, honey is gone." Rufus assured Tommy.

Moments later Tommy was cheerfully smiling and nodding to Fortuna. Wife. Maybe one day, but not just yet. They still a lot to sort out, namely with her family and society. "Thanks Tommy, next time mind not splitting half a bottle of fire whiskey with her?" Rufus muttered disappointed in his friend.

This was going to be a long evening, someone had to sort this mess out, "Accio cups." Two wooden mugs shot in from the sitting room. "Aquamenti." He tapped each glass in turn until it was filled with water. He thrust the first one at Tommy, "Drink." He commanded, then he turned, supposing Tuni didn't often find herself in such situation. "You should drink this." He offered her the water more gently.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Thomas looked at his hands and his eyes filled with glee, “Thanks and, err.. I didn’t. I…” He didn’t like times like this. Thomas had experienced this side to Rufus more times than he’d admit but Thomas couldn’t help himself. He didn’t know when to stop. Alcohol was a nice release for him sometimes and his limits were not something Tommy cared to learn about. So when this tone came out with Rufus’s words, Thomas knew it was time to stop.

He closed his mouth and nodded, “I won’t.” He shrugged, the joyous glaze in his eyes vanishing, and took the water briskly, placing his wand on his bed. Drinking the water with both hands cupped around the mug, his eyes didn’t move from the other two though they narrowed slightly at Rufus’s plaything. Thomas did like her. She was nice. Thomas was fairly certain they’d get on.

But she was starting to cause a rift between him and Rufus and he didn’t like that. So feigning disinterest, he began looking around the room.

Moments after, Thomas’ eyes drifted to the quill and parchment on his writing desk and suddenly, it was as if the entire world had caved in and he had to hide them. Putting his wand on his pillow and standing up, Thomas practically leapt to his desk though it seemed a lot of alcohol and slurred motor functions weren’t at all helping with his coordination and no sooner had he moved to grab the parchment, had he tripped up and hit his head against the floor.

June 23rd, 1888

I wanted to write because I'm stuck in London and it’s not particularly my idea of an enjoyable time away from home.

How are things back in Hogsmeade?

I was thinking about us- something and it reminded me of when- something. I’m not entirely sure why I’m writing this bu-

“That hurts,” Thomas said with a particularly sad tone and rubbed his head, his eyes drifting hazily toward the two people, “Why d’you two get to be like that?” He huffed, throwing his hands up in their general direction.

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Tuni continued to smile, giggling occasionally as she held the box of cookies in her lap once more. She'd managed to reorient herself enough on the floor to where she'd crossed her legs underneath her skirts, the damned things feeling as if they were weighing her down and keeping her there.

As Rufus busied himself with whatever it was he was doing, she pulled another cookie out and happily munched on it. She paused, mouth still half full with a cookie when he came back to her with a cup of water.

"Thank you," she said happily enough once she'd finished her cookie, oblivious to any anger or concern that may be present. She accepted the cup of water but handed him a cookie. "And you should eat this," she continued, "They're a bit smooshed but they still taste absolutely delicious."

She then sipped on the water. She managed to sip a couple of drinks but then Tommy was up and then.. he wasn't. And..she was giggling again.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

For the moment Tommy seemed to have calmed down and Rufus breathed as he looked at Fortuna. He doubted that she regularly drank as much as Tommy and himself which only caused him to worry over her. Really, what had Tommy been thinking giving her so much Firewhiskey? Rufus watched Fortuna with an edge of concern, taking the cookie she offered. He took a nibble as he surveyed the scene. Really they were very good.

Fortuna had almost seemed to calm down when Tommy stood up took a step forward and promptly tossed himself across the floor. "Woah there now buddy!" Rufus rushed forward as Fortuna began giggling again.

Ignoring whatever it was that Tommy was trying to say Rufus helped right him, "Let's get you to bed." It'd make the hurt go away and then Rufus would only need to worry about one of them as opposed to the both of them as they were at the moment.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

“I ain’t tired,” Thomas slurred with a pout. He wasn’t some child who needed to be looked after. Shrugging Rufus away from himself, the chaser slumped back down and frowned toward his friend, “Just ‘cause you want to be all lovey with Miss Lockbox.”

Thomas wasn’t entirely sure why he was suddenly in this mood. He just was and there was no rhyme or reason. So, to make sure people were aware he was annoyed and not a child, Thomas simply sat there and frowned with crossed arms.

Like a child.

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Of course Tommy would decide to be obstinate. Fortuna continued to giggle behind him as Rufus glared down at Tommy. “No. I want both of you to not feel as if a train hit you in the night when when you wake in the morning.” Rufus countered sternly, crossing his arms over his chest and giving Tommy his ‘I’m the eldest sibling’ glare that he’d perfected with his younger siblings over the years.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Rufus glared at Thomas and tried to give him the good old sibling routine. Now, sometimes this worked. Though Tommy was the older of the two and acted like brothers, Thomas was also drunk and had no issues expressing himself when Rufus looked at him.

So as any adult would do, Thomas glared back and crossed his arms before staggering up and climbing into his bed to get comfortable once again.

"Been through worse, Rufus." The Chaser huffed as he laid down, "And I ain't even tired."

Of course, his speech was slurred and the lie was evident as no sooner had he climbed into bed, had Thomas practically fallen asleep.

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FIN. for Thomas

  

Rufus was well aware that Tommy had been through worse, he’d been there for most of them. Half the time just as bad as Tommy himself. But even as the frown deepened on his face Tommy passed out. Well that solved one thing.

Turning to look at Fortuna still giggling on the floor, Rufus found his frustration softening into something more protective. It looked as if she’d been drinking the water, but that would only help so much. “Feeling any better?” Rufus asked, crouching down next to the brunette to meet her eyes.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni had indeed been drinking the water as well as nibbling on more of the cookies that had been meant for him. Only, there weren't really many left. At least, not beyond the crumbs of the ones that had been smashed in her fall. She was likely to feel that later but in that moment she was blissfully unaware of anything else other than a whiskey fogged mind and the joy she felt of seeing Rufus.

"I was never really feeling bad," she answered simply enough as she smiled at him, "But I'm glad you're here. I came to see you after all." Tuni had always been a bit forward but clearly the alcohol made her not only giggly but quite blunt as well.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!